Biggest Bombs of War Dropped on Baghdad

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, March 28, 2003

Biggest Bombs of War Dropped on Baghdad

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

The biggest bombs dropped on Baghdad so far -- two 4,700-pound "bunker busters" -- struck a communications tower Friday in an intense US bombardment aimed at cutting off Saddam Hussein's command from his forces.

Iraqi officials said allied forces would suffer if they assault the capital; US Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld suggested a siege might be preferable to an all-out assault.

US and British troops continued to battle Iraqi regulars and paramilitary units in the south. A US Marine was killed in one battle, at a cement plant near An Nasiriyah.

US and British warplanes continued their relentless bombing campaign Friday as new explosions rocked the Iraqi capital at around 11:40 a.m. local time (08:40 GMT).

Baghdad came under heavy bombings earlier Friday as it was rocked by three fresh explosions at about 7:50 am (4:50 GMT).

The explosions were heard on the western outskirts, which sent a towering plume of smoke skyward. The hotel housing the international media was partially damaged in the early Friday bombing.

Hours earlier, Baghdad was already hit by two waves of air raids with huge explosions reverberating through the city of 5 million.

US military officials confirmed Friday that a US B-2 stealth bomber dropped two 2,115-kilogram, satellite-guided "bunker buster"bombs on a major communications tower on the east bank of the Tigris River in downtown Baghdad.

The Iraqi state television has not broadcast since Friday morning, but it was unclear if it was caused by the bombing. The telephone line service in the city was not cut despite the bombing.

The nine-day bombardment have inflicted heavy civilian casualties, although the US-led coalition has repeatedly claimed that they were trying best to avoid civilian casualties by using precision-guided missiles and bombs.

Questions?Comments? Click here

26 Iraqi Killed, 60 Injured in Najaf Overnight: Official

Iraq Says "Graves" Waiting for "Aggressors" in Baghdad

>> 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)