Iraqi security forces take their positions as they hold their weapons during a patrol outside the city of Falluja May 25, 2014. Thousands of civilians have fled Falluja since early this month after the Iraqi military intensified shelling in a new bid to crush a five-month old Sunni uprising, killing scores of people in what residents describe as massive indiscriminate bombardment. More than 420,000 people have already escaped the two main cities of western Anbar province, Falluja and Ramadi, in fighting since the start of the year. Picture taken May 25, 2014. REUTERS/Stringer (IRAQ – Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS CONFLICT MILITARY)