Special report:Tension escalates in Iraq

    BAGHDAD, March 17 (Xinhua) -- At least two people were killed and dozens poisoned Friday when two trucks carrying toxic substances detonated separately near Iraq's western city of Fallujah, local medical source told Xinhua on Saturday.

"Two people were killed and up to eighty others were poisoned when a tanker loaded with toxic substances detonated Friday on a street in Ameriyat al-Fallujah district, 7 km south of Fallujah," said Dr. Abdul Sattar Kadem, manager of Fallujah hospital.

A similar tanker detonated in Albuhrat neighborhood near Fallujah, poisoning a lot of residents on Friday night, he said, without giving the exact number of the casualties.

Insurgents used such tactics in Iraq in the recent period of time. In February, a truck loaded with poisoned substances detonated in al-Taji neighborhood in northern Baghdad, killing andwounding many people.

    Meanwhile, fierce clashes broke out early on Saturday between insurgents belonging to al-Qaida organization in Iraq and the residents of Ameriyat al-Fallujah district, a local police source said, adding that the clashes are still ongoing.

    The source added that Ameriyat al-Fallujah district has been attacked frequently by insurgents belonging to al-Qaida organization in Iraq.

    Violence rages in Iraq despite the government's measures to crack down on illegal militia and the U.S. decision to send 21,000 more soldiers to the war-torn country.