Terrified Iraqi civilians flee fighting in besieged market town

http://www.startribune.com/stories/484/5711599.html

BAGHDAD - Scores of terrified Iraqis fled the besieged town of Husaybah Sunday, waving white flags and hauling their belongings to escape a second day of fighting between U.S. Marines and Al-Qaida-led militants along the Syrian border. U.S. and Iraqi troops battled insurgents from house to house, the U.S. military said.

The U.S. commander of the joint force, Col. Stephen Davis, told the Associated Press late Sunday that his troops had moved "about halfway" through Husaybah, a market town along the Euphrates River about 200 miles northwest of Baghdad.

At least 36 insurgents have been killed since the assault began Saturday, Davis said, and about 200 men have been detained. Many of the detainees were expected to be from a pro-insurgent Iraqi tribe.

Davis would not comment on U.S. and Iraqi government casualties but said the militants were putting up a tough fight because "this area is near and dear to the insurgents, particularly the foreign fighters."