An estimated 6,000 U.S. troops and 2,000 allied Iraqi soldiers invaded the city from the north Monday night in a quick, powerful start to an offensive aimed at re-establishing government control ahead of the January elections. The guerrillas fought off a bloody Marine offensive against the city in April.
Allawi called on Fallujah's fighters to lay down their weapons to spare the city and allow government forces to take control, "The political
solution is possible even if military operations are ongoing," his spokesman said.
In Fallujah's urban battles Tuesday, small bands of guerrillas - fewer than 20 - were engaging U.S. troops, then falling back in the face of overwhelming fire from American tanks, 20mm cannons and heavy machine guns, said Time magazine reporter Michael Ware, embedded with troops. Ware reported that there appeared to be no civilians in the area he was in.
full story - http://apnews.myway.com/article/20041109/D868E0F80.html