US troops continue attacks on Fallujah

THE besieged Shi’ite city of Fallujah was rocked again by a series of explosions and gunfire yesterday — only hours after a heavy battle in which US warplanes and artillery pounded insurgents holed up in a slum.

Gunfire and mortar blasts could be heard for more than an hour from south-western Fallujah in the afternoon, then three thunderous explosions shook the area as warplanes circled overhead. Two black plumes of smoke rose over the area, as heavy machine-gun fire continued.

Despite three straight days of battles, US officials said they are pushing ahead with negotiations to resolve the stand-off rather than launch an all-out offensive.