Residents in the west Iraqi city of Fallujah, which was occupied by U.S. forces in November, will be allowed to return gradually, the head of the city council said Friday. Council head Mohammed Ibrahim said that residents of the al- Andaluz suburb in the south of the city could return first. Those returning would be given initial supplies of food and other goods, he said. A total of 200,000 people fled the one-time rebel stronghold as fighting escalated last month. In the past few days, thousands have held protest rallies and demanded permission to return to home. Meanwhile An American soldier was killed Thursday during clashes in al-Anbar province, in which Fallujah is located, the U.S. army said Friday. Three Iraqis were injured in an exchange of fire overnight during a U.S. raid in Ramadi, also in al-Anbar province, according to witnesses.
