American military planes continued to attack parts of the city of Fallujah in an attempt to weaken insurgents who have controlled that city for the past few months. The air attacks were reportedly the opening act of a major offensive planned by American troops in Fallujah which is scheduled to begin at any time.

According to a U.S. military spokesman, American planes fired at barricaded positions belonging to insurgents who have been striking against American troops and their allies since the American invasion of Iraq in March, 2003. Three civilians were injured as a result of the shelling according to hospital officials inside the city.

American soldiers also clashed with insurgent forces to the southeast of the city after two rocket propelled granades were fired at U.S. troops by insurgents. Two of the rebels were killed while no U.S. casualties were reported.

Al-Jazeera television showed a videotape on Thursday of insurgents threatening to attack oil facilities in Iraq if the U.S. follows through with its intended attacks in Fallujah. Almost two dozen men with weapons were shown in the video, however the name of the insurgent group shown was not given.

Elsewhere in Iraq, a car bomb exploded in the city of Dajail, located almost 50 miles north of Bahgdad. The car was driven into city government offices before exploding. Three Iraqis were reported dead and nine others seriously wounded.