Operation al-Fajr

US Marines and Iraqi Army soldiers pressed into two enemy held neighborhoods in northern Falluja today, securing footholds that were made yesterday in the restive town. Resistance has been initially described as light. The Marine Corps announced its first two losses for the campaign; two marines killed when their bulldozer accidentally rolled into the Euphrates. Additionally, Marine Corps spokespersons reported 42 known enemy casualties in action thus far.

Prime Minister Allawi spoke with Iraqi troops prior to action yesterday saying, "The people of Fallujah have been taken hostage ... and you need to free them from their grip."

The Iraqi soldiers responded with, "May they go to hell!", a sentiment that Allawi himself then echoed.

I say "Amen!"

Abu Musab al-Zarqawi released a statement today trying to rally Muslims against the US, saying:

Oh people, the war has begun and the call for jihad has been made. Despite all the agonies that we are suffering, by Allah, the enemies will only see things that will harm them. Let us resist them with all our might and let us spend all that is precious in fighting them. Be patient, it is only a matter of days before victory will come with the help of God.

It would appear that Zarqawi fancies himself the next Baghdad Bob!