Iraq Moves Up Tanks, Guns For Looming Falluja Assault -- Reuters
(Reuters) - The Iraqi army deployed tanks and artillery around Falluja on Tuesday, security officials said, as local leaders in the besieged city urged al Qaeda-linked militants to leave in order to avert an impending military assault.
Security officials and tribal leaders have said that Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki agreed to hold off an offensive to give people in Falluja time to push the militants out. But it is not clear how long they have before troops storm the town, close to Baghdad, where U.S. forces fought notable battles a decade ago.
Fighters, some of them foreign, from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), an al Qaeda affiliate also active across the border in Syria, overran police stations in Falluja and another city in Iraq's western Anbar province last week.
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MIDDLE EAST
Iraqi army clashes with militants near Fallujah. Iraq: Fighters killed in air raids in Anbar.
Biden calls Iraq's Al-Maliki about insurgent attacks.
Syrian al Qaeda branch calls for truce to halt rebel infighting.
Al-Qaeda-linked group 'kills' Aleppo captives. Syria rebels kill 34 foreign fighters in northwest: monitor.
Iran rejects U.S. suggestion of Syrian peace talks role.
Syria minister forecasts Assad would be re-elected.
Tribes attack Yemen pipeline twice in two days.
Hundreds of Turkish police removed from posts.
Israel casts doubt on nine-month target for Palestinian deal.
ASIA
Thai anti-government protesters march to support Bangkok "shutdown".
Japan boosts military ties with India as it seeks to counter China.
Japan hits back at China over Voldemort comparisons.
Philippines faces massive resettlement needs as post-typhoon aid comes slowly.
Philippines to strengthen special forces unit.
China to allow private banks in 2014.
Angry Dennis Rodman defends North Korea basketball game.
AFRICA
South Sudan rebels, government begin ceasefire talks.
UN warns CAR on brink of catastrophe.
Debate continues over UN force for Central African Republic.
UN: Half of Central African Republic needs aid.
Mali, Niger evacuate citizens from Central African Republic.
Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood appeals to world criminal court.
Libya's move towards Shariah laws sends chill among Christian community.
EUROPE
Winter Olympics: Russia launches Sochi security clampdown.
Surprise drop in euro zone inflation shows deflation risk.
Merkel makes first appearance on crutches after ski fall.
Spain's Princess Cristina faces court over tax fraud claims.
Pope set to name cardinals to reflect his vision of the Church.
Stranded Russian vessel free from Antarctic ice.
AMERICAS
US polar vortex: extreme cold weather heads to east coast – live.
Most of Canada dealing with miserable winter weather: Wind chills of -50 C in Manitoba, freezing rain in Toronto, blackouts in Newfoundland.
US Senate confirms Janet Yellen to lead Federal Reserve.
U.S. trade deficit smallest in four years; imports weak.
Former Miss Venezuela and British husband shot dead.
Brazil’s oil euphoria hits reality hard.
Dutch Foreign Minister calls for new EU policy on Cuba.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Global terrorist threat set to grow in 2014 – Analysis.
Al-Qaida militants' Fallujah attack testifies to group's growing power.
Website: Terror group threatens France over Mali.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Apple reports $1 billion app sales in Dec, $10 billion for 2013.
Saudi billionaire prince: Fracking competitively threatens ‘any oil producing country in the world’.
JP Morgan to pay $1.7bn to victims of the Madoff fraud.
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