Shelling and clashes in various parts of Fallujah killed 15 people Wednesday, a senior doctor said.

Shelling and clashes in various parts of Fallujah killed 15 people Wednesday, a senior doctor said.

The violence erupted just after midnight and continued through to the morning in northern, eastern and southern neighborhoods of the city, killing 15 people and wounding 40 others, according to Fallujah Hospital's chief medic Ahmed Shami.

It was unclear how many of the casualties resulted from the shelling, and how many from the clashes.

Tribal leaders in the city confirmed the doctor's account.

"After midnight, shelling first targeted several areas ... and clashes also happened," said Mohammed Saleh, a leader of the Bijari tribe.

Mahmud al-Zobaie, a leader of the Zoba tribe, added: "There are many people killed and wounded, and many homes have been damaged because of the shelling."