Meanwhile, US airstrikes and artillery attacks continued in Falluja as well. Hospital officials say at least 20 people have been killed in the past day. The US military said early this morning two soldiers were killed and three wounded in an attack. Meanwhile, a wire report published by the New York Times says the White House is proposing to shift more than $3 billion from reconstruction projects in Iraq towards improving security and oil production.

And two Australians and two “East Asians” were kidnapped. A guerilla group said Australia needs to leave Iraq in 24 hours or the hostages will be killed.