Bush’s fault.

Via AFP:

Iraqi troops will delay assaulting the militant-held city of Fallujah, an officer said Tuesday, citing fear of civilian casualties, as fighting and missile strikes in nearby Ramadi killed 29 people.

Parts of Ramadi — the capital of Anbar province, west of Baghdad — and all of Fallujah have been outside government control since last week.

It is the first time militants have exercised such open control in major cities since the height of the insurgency that followed the 2003 US-led invasion.

Attacking the Sunni-majority city would also be extremely politically sensitive, as it would inflame already high tensions between the Sunni Arab minority and the Shiite-led government.

It would also be a major test for Iraqi security forces, which have yet to undertake such a major operation without the backing of American troops.

Overnight, security forces and allied tribesmen sought to retake south Ramadi from fighters loyal to Al-Qaeda-linked group the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, but the assault failed.

“Security forces and armed tribesmen tried last night to enter areas controlled by ISIL fighters in the south of the city,” a police captain told AFP.

“Clashes between the two sides began about 11:00 pm (2000 GMT) last night and continued until 6:00 am,” he said, adding that “security forces were not able to enter these areas and ISIL fighters are still in control”.