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Us marine convoy enters iraqi town falluja { May 10 2004 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=5092327http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=5092327
U.S. Marine Convoy Enters Iraqi Town of Falluja
Mon May 10, 2004 10:40 AM ET
By Fadil Badran and Ibon Villelabeitia
FALLUJA, Iraq (Reuters) - A U.S. Marine convoy entered Falluja for the first time in more than a month on Monday, testing a shaky truce with insurgents in Iraq's most rebellious town, witnesses said.
Marines, accompanied by Iraqi security forces entrusted with eventually taking over security, arrived at the mayor's office in the town center in an armored column without incident.
But the calm in Falluja has not eased the fears of Iraqi security forces, who worry they will suffer the fate of hundreds of comrades killed for cooperating with the Americans.
"We are glad you are here with us and that you liberated Iraq, but we would like the Americans to stay out and let us deal with the security," Falluja Police Captain Hammed Alayash told Major-General James Mattis, commander of the 1st Marines Division.
"I think it would be safer if we are not seen with foreign forces."
After the convoy departed, hundreds of Falluja residents took to the streets claiming victory over the Americans in recent fighting and shouting "God is greatest."
Iraqi insurgents with red and white checked scarves wrapped around their heads and faces held up rocket-propelled grenades.
"Hold your head up high mujahid (holy warrior)," they yelled. One throng included a chanting Iraqi man wearing a police uniform in a town where U.S.-backed policemen are expected to take on guerrillas.
American forces laid siege to Falluja last month after four American contractors were killed and mutilated in the town. Hundreds of Iraqis died in the fighting.
Many Falluja residents consider the partial withdrawal of U.S. Marines a victory after U.S. air strikes traumatized the population.
In a bid to put an Iraqi face on efforts to pacify Falluja, the Americans have entrusted former Iraqi general Muhammad Latif to take charge of security once his forces prove they can handle the challenge.
Latif's men are operating inside Falluja while Iraqi security forces man checkpoints on the edge of town with U.S. Marines, who are also within striking distance, keeping open the option of another offensive if the truce collapses.
A dozen light-armored vehicles mounted with machineguns, Humvees and pick-up trucks carrying Iraqi police officers in crisp blue shirts accompanied U.S. commanders who held talks at the mayor's office in Falluja, 50 km (32 miles) west of Baghdad.
Brigadier-General Mark Kimmitt, the chief U.S. military spokesman in Iraq, said U.S. demands still needed to be met in Falluja.
"We still have not seen the enemy weapons that we know are in there. We have not yet seen the foreign fighters that we suspect are still in there," he told reporters in Baghdad.
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