Insurgents have attacked US bases and government offices in Ramadi, in western Iraq, and then dispersed throughout the city, residents say. Scores of heavily-armed insurgents fired mortars and rockets at the buildings and then occupied several main streets.
The attack came as local leaders and US military officials were meeting at the al-Anbar provincial governor's office. Ramadi has been a rebel stronghold for many months. Residents in Ramadi told the Reuters news agency that hundreds of heavily armed men in masks were patrolling the main streets of the city and had set up checkpoints. Citizens said leaflets distributed by the men declared that al-Qaeda in Iraq, the group run by Abu Musab Zarqawi, was now in control of the city.
More wishful thunking from The Beeb. Ramadi delenda est? Here's hoping... |