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There are reports of mortar bombardments and fresh air strikes on the city.



Women and children have been told to leave.



The latest developments came as the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan warned Britain and America not to attack Fallujah, saying:





"The threat or actual use of force not only risks deepening the sense of alienation of certain communities, but would also reinforce perceptions among the Iraqi population of a continued military occupation"



Kofi Annan, UN Secretary General





That's completely at odds with the Anglo-US view, which sees the eradication of the insurgent stronghold as part of the way towards a new democratic Iraq, with elections now set for January 27th.



But tonight there's little sign that the Americans will take heed of Annan's warnings.



Latest reports out of Fallujah certainly suggest a ground assault of some kind - heavy machine gun fire -and small arms too.



It's also reported that US marines have fired mortars at what they say are rebel positions on the western fringe of the city.



Inside Fallujah the resistance fighters prepare another mortar position.