Allegations of widespread abuse by US forces in Falluja, including the killing of unarmed civilians and the targeting of a hospital in an attack, have been made by people who have escaped from the city.

A report in the Independent said besides deaths from bombs and artillery shells, a large number of people including children were killed by American snipers.

US forces also refused repeated calls for medical aid for injured civilians, witnesses said in interviews with the daily.

Some of the killings took place in the build-up to the assault on the rebel stronghold, and at least in one case - that of the death of a family of seven, including a three-month baby - the American authorities have admitted responsibility and offered compensation.

The refugees from Falluja describe a situation of extreme violence in which remaining civilians in the city have been told by the Americans to leave.

Men of military age were particularly vulnerable. But there are accounts of children as young as four and women and old men being killed.

The claims of abuse and killings, from different sources, appear, however, to follow a consistent pattern, the daily said. Dr Ali Abbas, who arrived in Baghdad from Falluja four days ago, worked at a clinic in the city which was bombed by the Americans. He said that at least five patients were killed.

The doctor said that the attack took place despite assurances from American officers that they were aware of its location and would ensure that it was spared military action.

Dr Abbas, 28, said: "We had five people under treatment and they were killed. We do not know why the clinic was hit. Our colleagues from the Falluja General Hospital, which was further out in the city, had talked to the Americans and had told us that they would avoid attacking us.