US aircraft launched airstrikes on September 17 on targets near the restive city of Fallujah, west of Baghdad, killing at least 30 people and injuring 40 others, the military and medical sources said.

The overnight strikes targeted militants with suspected links to Jordanian-born al-Qaida ally Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, said a US military statement.

At least 30 people were killed and more than 40 wounded, including women and children, a medical source in Fallujah general hospital said.

But the US statement estimated 60 suspect militants may have been killed in the assault, which was part of a precision strike on an compound used by militants loyal to al-Zarqawi.

On Friday morning, religious leaders used loudspeakers at Fallujah mosques to call on residents to donate blood.

In Fallujah's general hospital, tearful and angry people denounced the United States and chanted "God is greater."

Fallujah is a Sunni stronghold west of Baghdad, which are under the control of anti-US insurgents.

US forces have carried out almost daily air strikes over recent weeks on Fallujah as part of a push to retake the city ahead of Iraq's national elections set for January.

Source: Xinhua