FALLUJAH, Dec 23: Iraqis who fled last month's US-led offensive on Fallujah began trickling back on Thursday to check if homes they left behind were still standing, but most said they would not stay amid continued fighting.
More than 200,000 people sought shelter in nearby villages before the Nov 8 attack and have yet to return. They have been living in tented camps or nearby towns and villages for the past seven weeks, many with only the clothes on their backs.
Fallujah, which had a population of 250,000-300,000 before last month's attack, has been a virtual ghost town since. "I don't want to stay in the city, I just want to see if my house has been damaged," said Mohammed Aboud, 45, queuing on the edge of the city. "I don't want to come back yet. I've heard it's still not secure."
Iraq's interim government said 2,000 people would be allowed to return to homes in the western Andalus district starting on Thursday, although sporadic fighting persists in other areas.
US forces are battling pockets of guerrillas in Fallujah and have continued to bombard the city since the official end of the assault to expel militants they said were entrenched there.
As refugees prepared to return on Thursday, US forces shelled the south and north west of the city, where they clashed with guerrillas. Some refugees who had planned to return turned back on hearing the explosions and seeing columns of smoke.
Only 100 or so families had entered through the north west. Iraq's minister of state for national security said guerrillas who fled the city before the assault were trying to slip back and attack, but were being confronted.
COMPENSATION: Despite the danger, refugees wanted to check if their homes had been damaged and pick up personal belongings and valuables. "I want to enter Fallujah and I want to assess the damage to my house, I've heard that it was destroyed in military operations," said Laith Nawwaf, 47. "If it's destroyed then I will ask for compensation from our government."
Iraq's interim government said families would eventually be paid 2,000 dollars in compensation for partial damage to their homes, 4,000 dollars for substantial damage and 10,000 dollars if their homes were completely destroyed in the assault.
Shopkeepers would receive 1,500-3,000 dollars based on the size of their shop and what they sell, it said in a statement. Those returning to the city have been warned they will find it without power or water. Many buildings have been reduced to rubble and communication lines are down.
The government also plans to give every family 100 dollars, a heater and fuel rations on its return, just to meet immediate needs. US Marines said they were fingerprinting, photographing and scanning the irises of "suspicious military-age men" returning to Fallujah, to ensure fighters did not slip back in.
They were also checking identification and ration cards to ensure only those from the Andalus district got back. "This is a security measure intended to safeguard incoming citizens from any insurgents trying to re-penetrate the city," said Marine spokeswoman Major Naomi Hawkins. "Initial reports are positive ... and everyone seems to be very cooperative."
Residents began to approach a north-eastern entry point on foot around 10 am, while crowds looked on, the Marines said. Many later left to retrieve their cars when they found out they would be allowed to drive in.
Witnesses said Iraqi National Guards and US Marines manning two checkpoints on the way in were issuing returnees with badges to prove, once inside, they had been officially cleared.
"I want to remove my valuables, see the house from the outside and assess the damage," said Abdul Rahman Mohammed, 50. "I won't be able to stay long because the situation is unstable." -Reuters