Top rebels probably left Fallujah...

Senior rebel leaders, including Jordanian militant Abu Mussab al-Zarqawi, probably have fled, but US-led forces face days of urban fighting to retake Fallujah, a top US general in Iraq said....

US forces did not clamp a tight seal on the city until two days ago, [Lieutenant General Thomas] Metz said, allowing insurgents to enter or leave the city.

"I personally believe some of the senior leaders probably have fled," he said....

--AFP

Iraqi insurgents mass in centre of Ramadi as US snipers withdraw

Rebel fighters massed in the centre of the restive Iraqi city of Ramadi after US military snipers withdrew from their positions following 24 hours of clashes, an AFP correspondent said....

US snipers left a hotel from where they were able to control most of Ramadi's main roads....

Other US soldiers left the city for their bases in the east and west of the city.

As the snipers departed, large crowds of armed rebels, their faces hidden by scarves, began dancing in the street and shooting in to the air, yelling "Allah Akbar" (God is great).

Banners proclaiming solidarity with insurgents in Fallujah, where US-led forces launched a massive offensive to retake the city on Monday, were hung in the streets....

--AFP