The fiercest fighting occurred in Falluja where Sunni Iraqis still maintain control of three quarters of the city where the U.S. has staged a large offensive involving over 2,000 Marines. On Wednesday the U.S. purposely bombed a mosque that they claimed was being used by the resistance. Witnesses said 40 people died but the military said only one person was killed in the attack. The head of Falluja’s main hospital reports at least 280 Iraqis have died since the U.S. sealed off the city. 400 have been wounded. The Independent of London is reporting the US has blocked all traffic from entering Fallujah including ambulances.

Falluja has become a leading symbol of Iraq nationalism among both Sunni and Shiites. In Baghdad hundreds of Iraqis lined up in the streets to give blood to the victims in Fallaja.

One Iraqi told reporters “We are giving our blood and money here now, but this is just the start. We will give our souls. This will be worse than Vietnam. The Shia and Sunni will fight together.”