December 26, 2004 - The 200 thousand inhabitants of Felluce (Fallujah) who had to evacuate the city due to American operations against insurgents on November 8th have started to return to the city.

It is reported that only 500 people returned in the first two days. A ruined city is waiting for the ones who come back to the city. Dr Saleh Isavi, Deputy Head of Fallujah Hospital, told the BBC that people started to return to the city on Monday morning. Isavi disclosed that 70 percent of the houses in the city were destroyed in heavy bombardment and added that there are no houses that are undamaged. Isavi reminded that the houses are full of dead bodies and some bodies have been torn apart by dogs. Those who face difficult living conditions outside of Fallujah will have to live in the undamaged remains of their houses, though there is still no electricity or water in the city. Water is brought to the city by tankers and the hospitals are supplied by power generators. Isavi emphasized that sporadic fighting continues in the city. The US army have declared that they would give $100 to anyone who returns to Fallujah.



12.26.2004
Foreign News Service