US tanks and warplanes bombarded suspected guerrilla positions in Iraq's rebel-held city of Fallujah today, witnesses said.
They said the air and artillery attack focused on the city's southeastern Shuhada and Sina'a districts. There was no immediate word on casualties.
The US military has intensified operations around Falluja in the past week in what it says is a drive against foreign militants led by Jordanian Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.
It says Zarqawi, a declared al Qaeda ally, has bases in the Sunni Muslim stronghold west of Baghdad. Fallujah residents deny all knowledge of Zarqawi's network.
There was no immediate comment from the US military on the latest fighting.
Earlier Fallujah notables met and said they would return to talks with Iraq's interim government if US forces stopped attacking Fallujah, stayed clear of the city and paid compensation to families for damaged homes.