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US resumes night strikes in Iraq
The US occupation forces have continued to pursue resistance fighters in Iraq as part of "Iron Hammer" and "Ivy Cyclone Two" operations. US Navy fighter jets flew sorties over northern Iraq from an aircraft carrier in the Gulf on Wednesday as American forces pounded suspected armed fighters hideouts with heavy weapons. US military spokesmen said the latest offensive formed part of operations Iron Hammer and Ivy Cyclone Two — campaigns launched in the past 10 days to combat the growing number of resistance attacks which have killed 179 US soldiers in just over six months. Jets from the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier dropped 1000 lb bombs on targets near the northern town of Kirkuk, the US military said. Other fighter planes dropped 2000 lb bombs around Baquba, a restive town about 65km north of Baghdad. In Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit, the 4th Infantry Division pounded targets with mortars, tanks and Hellfire missiles. In Baghdad, the 1st Armored Division continued its campaign of evening attacks on areas believed to be used by fighters. Explosions echoed across the capital after darkness fell. Aljazeera's correspondent in Basra said that a huge explosion rocked al-Ashaar district on Wednesday evening but no casualties were reported. The incident which was caused by an explosive device, targeted the Organisation of Islamic al-Taliyaa. Also, a British soldier was wounded when his military convoy came under attack in Basra. Following the incident, British forces closed all the roads leading to the attack scene.
Posted by: Fred Pruitt 2003-11-20 |
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