Agence France-Presse reports that insurgents in Fallujah sought refuge in several central mosques:
"They are trading fire in the centre of Fallujah. They are firing from several mosques," said a US marine officer.
Unwilling to damage the buildings, marines held positions outside.
"We are seeing suspicious activities inside mosques but we are not moving in. We provide security around the site and wait for Iraqi security forces to move in," said marine spokesman Lieutenent Lyle Gilbert.
U.S. forces pushed south after seizing 70 percent of Fallujah on the second full day of battle.
Ten US soldiers and two Iraqi troops had died since the offensive was launched:
"As for casualties on the insurgents' side I can tell you that they are dying. A lot of them are dying and this is a good thing," Gilbert said.
"We are downing them," said marine Major Todd Desgrosseilliers. "We are using good old American firepower."
Marines said 20 guerillas had been killed on Tuesday in the northwestern Jolan area, about half of them by snipers. Bodies were buried under buildings that had been floored by artillery and ground fire.
At least 38 rebels died a day earlier in heavy clashes that broke out after US and Iraqi troops stormed the main hospital and two strategic bridges to the west before the main assault began.
The best posts on the battle for Fallujah are Wretchard's at Belmont Club. If you want to get a good sense of the battle read "Hell in a Very Small Place," "The Enemy Starts to Collapse," and "Fallujah Again." Wretchard's Fallujah posts are simply the best analysis of the fighting.
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