Fighting was reported in the Sunni-dominated city of Al-Fallujah overnight between guerrillas and U.S. forces, despite a shaky cease fire. An Iraqi medical official (Issam Muhammad) says at least 15 Iraqis were killed and 20 others wounded.
The fighting comes as the U.S. military says it is extending the deployment of 20,000 U.S. troops to help battle the recent insurgency.
Russia today continued to evacuate some 800 of its nationals and those of other CIS countries. The evacuation comes amid security concerns after a number of foreign workers were taken hostage.
In the most recent hostage incident, the Danish Foreign Ministry said today a Danish businessman is believed to have been seized.