US Helicopter Downed, Fighting Erupts Near Fallujah

Jihad Unspun | June 24 2004

Iraqi Resistance have shot down a US Cobra helicopter near Fallujah and reports are coming in of a second chopper down in Baquba as fighting breaks out all over Iraq. US military Cobra helicopters had been firing on the city, according to an eyewitness.

There have also been reports of helicopters firing on the Sunni Muslim positions west Iraq.

"The helicopter was shot down by fire from the city," where fighting had erupted earlier in the morning, a marine officer said. The officer said marines were able to rescue the two pilots, who survived the crash on the perimeter of Fallujah.

The fighting came as insurgents mounted simultaneous attacks in the cities of Mosul, Baquba and Ramadi, in an apparently coordinated onslaught.

Smoke could be seen rising from the city and the sounds of rocket-propelled grenades, mortars and machine-gun fire echoed.

Residents were fleeing to the highway and gunmen were running around the streets and checking cars.

Clashes broke out early this morning between US forces and insurgents outside Fallujah, forcing locals to flee from parts of the city. Residents were fleeing to the highway and gunmen were running around the streets and checking cars. Some people evacuated the eastern part of the city, which is a largely industrial zone.