US AIRCRAFT START ATTACK ON IRAQ

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, March 20, 2003

US AIRCRAFT START ATTACK ON IRAQ

US and British forces launched a massive assault on Iraq after US President Bush's ultimatum for Saddam and his sons to leave the country expired at 8 PM EST.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

United States President George W.Bush announced Wednesday night that he has ordered military strikes against Iraq but the war is still in early stages, and buildings of the Iraqi leadership were attacked in the US air raids on the capital of Baghdad Thursday morning.

Bush Says Military Operation in Early Stages

In a nationally-televised address, Bush said: "At this hour, American and coalition forces are in the early stages of military operations to disarm Iraq."

"On my orders, coalition forces have begun striking selected targets of military importance to undermine (Iraqi President) Saddam Hussein's ability to wage war," he said.

Bush said that these strikes "are opening stages of what will be a broad and concerted campaign."

He vowed that the US-led forces would fight until victory, noting that the war in Iraq could be longer and more difficult than some people have predicted.

Bush was speaking two hours and 15 minutes after his 48-hour ultimatum for Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and his sons to leave their country or face a war expired.

The White House confirmed that the United States had launched a military action to disarm Iraq.

"The opening stages of the disarmament of the Iraqi regime have begun," White House spokesman Ari Fleischer told reporters minutes after air raid sirens were heard over Baghdad.

The White House confirmed after the raids began that the United States had launched a military action to disarm Iraq.

A British Defense Ministry spokesman said so far they could not confirm that British forces have been involved in the ongoing US air raid on Iraq.

"I think we will have to wait until a few hours ... If there is British involvement, I think probably Prime Minister (Tony) Blair wish to say something," the spokesman said.

The Downing Street confirmed the Blair was "told that attacks on a limited number of command and control targets were being brought forward."

Uday Says Iraq Begins Jihad Against US Aggression

Uday, the eldest son of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, said on Thursday that Iraq has begun Jihad (Holy War) against US aggression.

Uday's statement was made after US warplanes bombed buildings of the Iraqi leadership in the opening rounds of air raids on the capital city of Baghdad.

The Pentagon said it believed that the building used by Saddam had been hit, and earlier reports said that several people were injured in the attack on the leadership's accommodation.

The United States started a war on Iraq in its first preemptive strike in the US history, about 90 minutes after the expiration of an ultimatum issued by US President George W. Bush for Saddam to leave the country or face war.

It was learnt that three US warships and F-117 warplanes took part in the attacks, and 40 Tomahawk cruise missiles and precision-guided missiles were fired in the three rounds of the attacks.

Big explosion were heard, and the sky was lit up by flares and sirens sounded throughout the city of 5 million people.

Iraqi anti-aircraft forces swiftly hit back at the US warplanes.

Witnesses said many parts of Baghdad were hit, with the eastern part being hit intensively.

Baghdadis were taking shelter at home, while communications system in the city have not been destroyed and telephone services were still running as normal, they added.

The official Iraqi TV station did not show anything about the US offensives, but was only airing patriotic songs.

The first round of air raids started at 0530 a.m. (0230 GMT) and lasted for about 20 minutes. After a brief interval, the air attacks resumed. The third round of air raids started at 0636 a.m.(0336 GMT).

The official Iraqi TV station did not give anything about the US offensives, but was only airing patriotic songs.

The United States has accused Iraq of hiding and secretly developing banned weapons as well as having linkage with the al-Qaeda terror network, and vowed to disarm Iraq by force if necessary. Iraq strongly denies the US allegation.

The war was declared after the US, Britain and Spain failed to win support of majority in the UN Security Council for their draft resolution that would have authorized a war on Iraq.

Three permanent members of the Security Council, namely China, France and Russia, opposed the US-led military attack on Iraq and insist that inspections should continue.

More than 250,000 US troops in and around the Gulf region, joined by tens of thousands of British troops, are launching military strikes on Iraq.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan warned earlier the United States and Britain that "under international law, the responsibility for protecting civilians in conflict falls on the belligerents."

Questions?Comments? Click here

Bush Declares War Has Begun on Iraq

Buildings of Iraqi Leadership Attacked

White House Declares War on Iraq

>> Full Coverage

The US Must Not Put Pressure On the UN ( 3 Messages)

Saddam Vows to Globalize War if Attacked ( 5 Messages)

China's Z11 Helicopters Get Green Light for Civilian Use ( 5 Messages)

New Premier Comes from Grass Roots ( 2 Messages)

China Hopes War can be Avoided: FM ( 3 Messages)