"After fighting in a bloody three-day war, Al Qaeda-affiliated militants raised its flag over government building in the western city of Fallujah, the city previously secured by U.S. forces before withdrawing from the country two years later, The Washington Post reported.
At least eight people were killed and dozens injured Friday night as the Iraqi army tries to regain control of the city. The army, which lobbed mortar bombs in its response, has been joined in the fray by tribesmen from Ramadi, a Sunni stronghold.
Major Sunni tribes turned against Al Qaeda before the American withdrawal at the end of 2011, but also do not support the Shiite-led government in Iraq, creating an odd alliance in the battle against militants. The total death toll from the violence, which began earlier in the week, is not yet known. "
