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players in that region. Their barbarism against the civilians in Ramadi and Fallujah and against Iraqi security forces is on display for everyone in the world to see." • ___
Iraqi general: Forces to retake western cities held by al-Qaida-linked fighters in coming days
• BAGHDAD (AP) -- A senior Iraqi military commander said Sunday that it will take a few days to fully dislodge al-Qaida-linked fighters from two key western cities. • Lt. Gen. Rasheed Fleih, who leads the Anbar Military Command, told the state television Sunday that "two to three days" are needed to push the militants out of Fallujah and parts of Ramadi. Fleih added that pro-government Sunni tribes are leading the operations while the army only is offering aerial cover and logistics on the ground. He didn't elaborate on the operations. • "The quiet and safe life that is sought by the Anbaris will not be completely restored before few hours or two to three days, God willing," Fleih said. • Residents say it has been quiet since Saturday night in Fallujah, where militants still control the center of the city. Sporadic clashes took place Sunday in and around Ramadi. The residents spoke on condition of anonymity for their safety. • The Islamic State in Iraq and Levant has seized control of Fallujah and Ramadi, the capital of Iraq's Anbar province. Ramadi was a stronghold of Sunni insurgents during the U.S.-led war. Al-Qaida militants largely took both cities over last week and have been fending off incursions by government forces there since. • ___
Activists: Syrian rebels battle al-Qaida-linked fighters in Aleppo as infighting grows fiercer
• BEIRUT (AP) -- Syrian rebels seized a compound held by al-Qaida-linked militants Sunday as their one-time allies used car bombs against them, some of the most serious infighting between fighters battling against the rule of President Bashar Assad. • The rebel-on-rebel fighting against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant is the strongest pushback yet from Syrian rebels who have seen their uprising to topple Assad hijacked by al-Qaida forces seeking to impose Islamic rule in opposition-held portions of the country. • The clashes began Friday after residents accused the al-Qaida-linked fighters of killing a doctor in the northern Syrian province of Aleppo. Fighting quickly spread to (Continued on page 24)
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