Iraq govt says no major Ramadi offensive

RAMADI, Iraq, June 20 (Reuters) Fear of a possible US military offensive kept many Iraqis off the streets in Ramadi today and many shops closed but an Iraqi official said there was no plan for a major assault in the western city.

The Red Cross voiced concern on difficult living conditions in Ramadi, nearly three days after the US military completed a cordon of troops and checkpoints around the city of 400,000. The military said people were free to enter and leave Ramadi.

A senior Iraqi Defence Ministry official told a news conference residents had no cause for concern: ''There is currently no plan for a large-scale operation in Ramadi,'' said Major General Abdul Aziz Mohammed.

''As you know, terrorist activity has increased so its entry and exit points were closed so we can perform close checks.'' Ramadi residents fear a large military offensive similar to the one that badly damaged nearby Falluja in November 2004 to break Sunni Arab insurgents' grip on that town.

The US military has played down talk of that type of campaign, saying the build-up is part of efforts to restore stability in Ramadi, 110 miles (70 km) west of Baghdad.

US spokesman Major General William Caldwell said on Tuesday the intent of the operation was to enable Iraqi forces to crack down on insurgents and said people could still move in and out of the city freely, going through checkpoints.

A Reuters reporter in the city saw several tanks move around on Monday. He said the town was quiet today. Many shops were closed and many people stayed in their homes.

The International Committee of the Red Cross said in a statement today: ''Food and medical supplies are running low, public services have almost ground to a halt and residents are reportedly trying to flee the area.'' REUTERS MP PM2113