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Source: http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20040623-094344-1804r
Foreign Fighters Increase Presence in Iraq
(UPI)P. Mitchell Prothero - � � Increasing numbers of foreign Islamic fighters from Syria, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and Afghanistan have taken almost complete control of Fallujah, according to current and former U.S. intelligence sources. � � Although the Syrian border continues to be a busy transit point for small groups of foreign fighters to enter Iraq, Yemen and the Red Sea coast of Africa have become a major staging areas and transit points for men and supplies. � � After the U.S. withdrew from Fallujah, a force of local militia took responsibility for the area, a move that locals and intelligence officials say have allowed radical militants to control it. � � An entire neighborhood of Fallujah - called Golan - has become a haven for foreign fighters who operate without regard to the authority of the Fallujah militia.