U.S. troops force Iraqis out of Ramadi

[sonz]

Fear of an imminent offensive by the U.S. occupation forces in Ramadi forced Iraqi families to evacuate the city, to avoid “a mounting humanitarian crisis,” similar to that which took place in the Iraqi city of Fallujah in November 2004.

Troops started Saturday pounding their way through Ramadi, residents said.

U.S. occupying army, assisted by Iraqi forces rounded Ramadi from all sides, including the Euphrates River and the Warrar irrigation canal and asked residents to immediately evacuate the city, Iraqi officials said, adding that American forces used airstrikes on several residential areas, and loudspeakers to warn civilians leave in order to avoid a massive offensive.

So far the U.S. military neither confirmed nor denied reports that it’s planning for fierce attack on the city.

The situation recalls a massive U.S. offensive in the Iraqi city of Fallujah in November 2004, where the majority of the city residents were forced to flee their homes to avoid getting killed in U.S. bombs that left the country totally destroyed and many thousands of civilians killed.

"The situation is catastrophic. No services, no electricity, no water," said Sheikh Fassal Guood, the former governor of Ramadi. "People in Ramadi are caught between two plagues: the vicious, armed insurgents and the American and Iraqi troops."

"We know for sure now that Americans and Iraqi commanders have decided to launch a broad offensive any time now," adding. "they should have consulted with us."

"It is becoming hell up there," said Mohammed Fahdawi, a 42-year-old contractor.

"It is unbelievable: The Americans seem to have brought all of their troops to Ramadi."

Officials say that many of Ramadi families are still trapped in the city, partially because they can’t afford leaving or due to lack of transportation.

And some families refused to leave before their children to finish final exams at school.

Memories of Fallujah catastrophe, where more than 200,000 of the city’s 290,000 population fled the U.S. offensive, are haunting Ramadi residents.

Trying to allay worldwide anger over the huge number of civilians who got killed in Fallujah attack, U.S. military officers claimed at that time that they took every possible step to minimize civilian casualties.

Analysts raised fears that another offensive on Ramadi would also leave scores of civilians dead.

[Vishnu]

So US troops really did not "force" them out.

They left because of fear, and they have a right to but your title makes it sound like US troops are forcing people to leave there homes.

[Ghazi]

So US troops really did not "force" them out.

They left because of fear, and they have a right to but your title makes it sound like US troops are forcing people to leave there homes.

:sl:

Beause the US might be planning an assualt so, they left beacause of them.