Ten Iraqis were killed and 11 others injured during last night's of fighting in Fallujah, according to doctors.
More than 10,000 marines, US soldiers and Iraqi forces are around Fallujah, where commanders estimate around 3,000 insurgents are dug in. More than half the civilian population is believed to have fled already.
Throughout the morning, deafening rounds of artillery and mortars pounded targets inside the city and on its outskirts. A US jet swooped low to fire rockets at insurgent positions on the eastern bank of the Euphrates. Warplanes and helicopters were seen circling the city.
In the past week, US aircraft have dropped massive batches of leaflets, warning residents to stay at home, not carry weapons or drive their cars in the city. They were also asked not to interfere with coalition troops