US troops block families fleeing Fallujah fighting

Iraqis stand inside the destroyed office of radical Shia leader Moqtada Sadr yesterday in the central Iraqi city of Kut. US-led coalition troops have regained control of Kut following fierce fighting early morning with Shia Muslim militiamen. PHOTO: AFP

Cars and pickups packed with men, women and children filled the highway leading out of the town, west of Baghdad, an AFP correspondent said.

But the convoy was forced to stop a few kilometres (miles) out of town as US forces blocked the highway, he said.

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"We have been here for hours because the Americans are blocking the highway, and we are affraid that they would shoot," said Fallujah resident Ahmed Mohsen.

"We cannot either go back because fighting continues in Fallujah. We are still hearing bombing and shooting," he told AFP.

The residents started to flee their besieged homes early on Friday, the sixth day of fighting between US forces and Sunni Muslim insurgents.

Those who could packed into vehicles while many others went on foot, through backstreets and along paths that cut through fields, carrying small bags, food and medicines.

Most were seen heading toward the nearby village of Naimiyah, south of Fallujah.

US marines said Thursday they were offering women and children passes out of Fallujah for their own safety.

"Some marines tried to give safe passage passes to one family so that they can leave the city but the family said if they took the passes, the foreign fighters will kill them," said Lieutenant Andrew Terrell.

Insurgents in residential areas of Fallujah were also warning inhabitants against cooperating with the marines in any way, he said.

Earlier on Friday, fighting rocked four eastern neighbourhoods of Fallujah -- Golan, Nazzal, Zubat and Askari. Bodies were left to rot in the streets as people cowered indoors, afraid to retrieve the corpses.

Later on Friday, the intensity of fighting eased significantly, amid conflicting reports over whether a suspension of the US offensive was in place.

On Thursday, the US marines tried to enter the neighbourhoods of Zubat and Nazzal but insurgents pounded them with anti-tank rockets and Kalashnikov and mortar fire, forcing them to retreat.

Food supplies were running short in the town and on Thursday residents were invited to go to hospitals and mosques where Sunni clerics handed out meagre rations after a food convoy managed to enter the town.