Fresh fighting broke out in the Iraqi city of Falluja yesterday after US forces attacked suspected rebel targets with air strikes, artillery and mortar rounds, a Reuters correspondent in Falluja said. US forces said they had targeted a fortified underground bunker with reinforced tunnels leading to stores of weapons, including an anti-aircraft artillery gun.

At least five artillery rounds and air strikes hit the southern portion of the city and soon afterwards exchanges of gunfire and blasts could be heard. US forces also launched sporadic mortar rounds against targets overnight. In a statement, the military said it was clearing remaining spots of resistance, and removing stores of weapons from buildings including mosques.

“One mission early on Nov. 15 attacked a bunker complex in the southernmost unpopulated section of Falluja after Multi- National forces discovered an underground bunker and steel- reinforced tunnels,” the statement said. “The tunnels connected a ring of facilities filled with weapons, an anti-aircraft artillery gun, bunk beds, a truck and a suspected weapons cache.”

US officers say they have retaken full control of Falluja after a week of intense combat with guerrillas. Marines now face the task of trying to track down every last remaining insurgent, fearing many could blend back into the community or conceal themselves in hideouts until US forces have withdrawn.

Tank commanders said late on Sunday that the Shuhada district in the south of the city, the last rebel stronghold, still had a significant number of guerrillas. At the same time, relief agencies are trying to get food, water and medicine to hundreds of families they say were trapped inside Falluja during the offensive.

The military said it was announcing over loudspeakers in the city that civilians needing medical or other help should seek out US forces. The US military said 38 of its soldiers were killed and 275 wounded in the battle to capture the city ahead of elections due in January. US forces have said some 1,000 insurgents were killed and 450 to 550 captured. There is no word on civilian casualties, but residents say many people have died.

<B>Michael Georgy</B>