Maliki Urges Fallujah to Expel Terrorists, Iran Ready to Help

Local Editor

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki called on residents of Fallujah Monday to expel terrorists holding the city to spare it an assault by the army, state television reported.

Maliki called on "the people of Fallujah and its tribes to expel the terrorists" so "their areas are not subjected to the danger of armed clashes."
Maliki also said he had ordered security forces "not to strike residential areas," the television added.
Fallujah, west of Baghdad is outside government control.

Continuous fighting took place north, northeast and south Ramadi from early on Monday morning a police major said, while a captain reported clashes east of Fallujah.

A senior Iraqi official announced Sunday that "Iraqi forces are preparing for a major attack in Fallujah."
And ground forces commander Staff General Ali Ghaidan Majeed said the city should "wait for what is coming" -- a reference to the impending assault.
Fighting in Anbar has reportedly killed more than 200 people in just three days, making it the deadliest violence to hit the province in years.

Meanwhile, senior Iranian military official confirmed that Iran is ready to help Iraq battle al-Qaeda terrorists in the neighboring country's western Anbar province.
Gen. Mohammad Hejazi, deputy chief-of-staff of Iran's army, is quoted by Iranian media on Monday as saying the Islamic Republic can offer "military equipment and advisers" should Baghdad ask for it.

Hejazi said: " Iraq is our friend." He further ruled out sending troops to Iraq.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team