Home>>World
Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, March 23, 2003

US, British Forces Moved Halfway to Baghdad: Pentagon

US and British forces were "making considerable progress" as they have moved 150 miles (240 kilometers) into Iraq from Kuwait, halfway to Baghdad, the Pentagon said Saturday.


PRINT DISCUSSION CHINESE SEND TO FRIEND


US and British forces were "making considerable progress" as they have moved 150 miles (240 kilometers) into Iraq from Kuwait, halfway to Baghdad, the Pentagon said Saturday.

"The oil fields in the south are being saved to benefit the Iraqi people. Coalition forces have the key port of Umm Qasr and are making good progress in Basra," Pentagon spokeswoman Victoria Clarke told reporters at a news conference.

"It is only a matter of time before the Iraqi regime is destroyed and its threat to region and the world is ended," she said. "The Iraqi forces, including some leadership, are surrendering and defecting in some numbers."

US warplanes flew more than 1,000 sorties against several hundred targets across Iraq in the past 24 hours and more than 400Tomahawk cruise missiles were launched from US and British ships and submarines, said Major Gen. Stanley McChrystal of the US JointChiefs of Staff.

"The goal of the air campaign is to neutralize Iraqi leadership,suppress missile threats to our forces and Iraq's neighbors," he said at the news conference.

US forces have progressed 150 miles into Iraq, halfway to Baghdad, McChrystal said "They also have successfully crossed theEuphrates River, the major waterway en route to the capital."


Questions?Comments? Click here
    Advanced






Iraqi, US Troops Clash near Najaf

Shiites in Najaf Clash with Iraqi Forces: Opposition Sources



>> 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)



Copyright by People's Daily Online, all rights reserved