Update from Fallujah inclduding aftermath of shelling, firefighters

(30 Oct 2004) SHOTLIST 1. Wide shot explosion in sky, zoom in 2. Pan right to smoke rising in distance, zoom in 3. Plumes of smoke rising over buildings 4. Zoom into fire truck driving through streets 5. Dogs running in street 6. US planes overhead AUDIO explosions 7. Men in street watching - zoom in to large smoke plume 8. US planes in sky, firing 9. Shots of house on fire, black plume of smoke coming from house 10. Fire in street behind truck 11. Fire engine STORYLINE US forces launched airstrikes against suspected militant bases in Fallujah on Saturday, as they prepared for a major operation in the insurgent bastion that has become the symbol of Iraqi resistance. Explosions and gunfire rocked the area and smoke was seen billowing in the air, witnesses said. US Marines responded with heavy artillery fire after insurgents shot mortar shells from positions in the southeast of the city. About 4 p.m. (1300GMT), a Marine Harrier jet bombed a mortar position inside Fallujah and strafed it with machine-gun fire, "neutralising the target and any threat," a Marine spokesman said. A fierce fire could be seen burning in the streets and fire engine were in the area. US and Iraqi commanders are planning a new assault on the city in a bid to tame insurgents before the elections in January. Up to 5,000 Islamic militants, Saddam Hussein loyalists and common criminals are hunkered down in Fallujah, US officers said Friday. US planners believe many of the city's 300,000 residents have already fled the city. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...