We had to destroy the village to save it.
UN IRIN NEWS SERVICE - Residents of Fallujah, devastated by a heavy US-led attack in November, are gradually beginning to return to their homes. But for the vast majority there is little left to go back to.
Since getting the go-ahead from coalition forces on 23 December to return to the city, nearly 4,000 residents who were displaced by the fighting have returned to their homes.
But these numbers are tiny compared with the total pre-attack population of almost 300,000, the majority of whom fled before the fighting began on 8 November. Many other families have returned to check their houses only to leave again after finding that they had been destroyed. . .
The Minister of Security, Kassim Daoud, told IRIN that people were insisting on returning to their homes even with ongoing clashes in the city, which lies 60 km west of Baghdad, and unexploded ordinance in the streets.
The first residents to be given the green light to return were those from the western district of Andalus, which was reported to have been in better condition than many others. On the first day, those returning had their fingerprints checked and their irises scanned to try to ensure that no insurgents were returning. But checks have eased since then, with residents required to show only their ID and ration cards. . .
In the city as a whole, the two main library buildings have been burned and schools and medical clinics have been all but destroyed and are unable to function. . . There is no water or electricity and the sewerage system has also suffered heavy damage, which is likely to cause the spread of diseases, medical representatives in the city said. . .
Those who decide to stay must obtain photo ID badges from the US checkpoint. At the same time they are told by the US forces that troops are unable to provide security for all and are advised to adhere strictly to the curfew which runs from 1800 to 0600. . .
Families will also receive a monthly food ration food from the government, which has also said it will give each returnee US $100 in compensation.
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