At least 60 killed in Anbar province

Over 2 weeks in Iraq An Iraqi official said fighting between security forces and al-Qaida-linked militants in Iraq's Sunni-dominated Anbar province has killed at least 60 people over the past two weeks.

The head of Anbar's Health Directorate said that 43 people were killed in the city of Ramadi and another 17 were killed in Fallujah. The violence erupted in the western province after the December 28 arrest of a Sunni law-maker sought on terrorism charges and the dismantling of an anti-government Sunni protest camp in Ramadi.

International observers have warned of shortages of food, fuel and other necessities, particularly in Fallujah. United Nations records show that more than 11,000 families have been uprooted by the fighting. Iraqi troops have taken up positions in and around Fallujah and Ramadi but have not
launched major urban attacks, fearing civilian casualties.
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