US forces stormed into western districts of Fallujah early today, seizing the main city hospital and securing two key bridges over the Euphrates River.

The Iraqi government declared a 60-day state of emergency throughout most of the country yesterday, as US and Iraqi forces prepared for an expected all-out assault on rebels in Fallujah.

The Iraqi government today declared a state of emergency for 60 days throughout the country except for Kurdish-run areas of the north as US and Iraqi forces prepare for an expected all-out assault on rebels in Fallujah.