A picture released 21 November 2004 by the Multi National Force-Iraq shows marines of the 1st Battalion, 8th Marines battle insurgents in the streets of the devastated city of Fallujah, 50 kms west of Baghdad. (Photo: Yahoo/AFP)

     NEAR FALLUJAH, Iraq, Nov. 22 (Xinhuanet) -- Fierce clashes between US-led forces and defenders of Fallujah renewed Monday Morning as relief teams were struggling to enter the battle-torn central Iraqi city.

    "Fierce clashes are underway in Jolan, Askari and Shuhadaa neighborhoods," witnesses told Xinhua.

    They said several relief teams were conducting hard negotiationswith the US troops to have access to the city and provide assistance to the wounded and bury the dead.

    Residents outside the city said the US forces let a relief team to enter the city on Sunday, but later they opened fire at the convoy, killing one member of the team and forcing them to withdrawamid growing fears of human crisis in Fallujah.

    Early this month, US and Iraqi forces launched a major offensiveto crush insurgents, including Zarqawi group, in Fallujah, 50 km west of Baghdad.

    About one week later, the US military claimed it had controlled the city. But armed confrontation has not ended there. Enditem