Residents flee Iraq`s Samara city

"BAGHDAD, Iraq (UPI) -- Hundreds of families from the Iraqi city of Samara were fleeing their town Saturday in fear of a massive military campaign.

Residents who arrived in Baghdad from Samara, 62 miles (100 kilometers) north of the capital, said hundreds of cars have fled the city in the past two days as they sought refuge in nearby towns for safety.

The massive emigration came after Iraqi Defense Minister Saadoun al-Duleimi last week warned of a military attack against the city to 'cleanse it from the terrorists.'

In a meeting with Samara tribal leaders, al-Duleimi gave the residents one month to expel the 'terrorists' from their city or face a military raid similar to the bloody one taking place in Tal Afar.

Last October, Iraqi-U.S. forces invaded Samara, killing more than 300."
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