Frightened Iraqis Flee Samarra

Up top 40 percent of Samarra's population has fled the city fearing a U.S. offensive like that launched on Falluja in April. Iraqi media have also reported the collapse of basic services.

'At the present time we're basically providing security on the perimeter,' said a US military official. 'The situation in the city itself is a bit tenuous, so we are maintaining security from the outside.'

Yeah, roger that... More from Reuters.