LA Times, 6/11/06
Fears of an imminent offensive by the U.S. troops massed
around the insurgent stronghold of Ramadi intensified Saturday, with
residents pouring out of the city to escape what they describe as a
mounting humanitarian crisis.
The image pieced together from interviews with tribal leaders and
fleeing families in recent weeks is one of a desperate population of
400,000 people trapped in the crossfire between insurgents and U.S.
forces. Food and medical supplies are running low, prices for gas have
soared because of shortages and municipal services have ground to a
stop. [read more]