17:13 2003-03-25 - Moscow - Iraqi army - the counter-offensive by #166653 ..... Iraq War Debate
Date: 3/26/2003 8:36:29 PM ( 21 y ago)
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17:13 2003-03-25
51st division of the Iraqi army launched
the counter-offensive
Iraqi troops that have been defending the city
of Basra for six days already. Qatar-based television channel Al-Jazeera
reported that Iraqi troops launched the counter-offensive. According to
Al-Jazeera’s information, battles started on the outskirts of Basra. Iraqi
troops reportedly try to retrieve the control over the city’s airport. Until
recently, the coalition command did not think it was necessary to occupy Basra,
the blockade of the city was enough. However, it turned out that the 51st
division of the Iraqi army did not give up, as it was reported during the very
beginning of the conflict. The division entered the city with armored vehicles
and artillery, showing a very strong resistance to US forces.
Spokesman
for the British command, Colonel Al Lockwood acknowledged that the resistance in
Basra was very strong. "We're not going into Basra, it's simply considered a
target," said a spokesman at Central Command headquarters in Qatar. "The reason
it is a potential target is because it has an enormous political and military
importance in the area." Earlier, a different British spokesman told CNN
television the British would probably go into Basra.
Reuters reported,
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan highlighted humanitarian problems in Basra,
calling for urgent action to ensure there was enough water for Iraq's second
city.
"A city of that size cannot afford to go without electricity or
water for long," Annan said. "Apart from the water aspect, you can imagine what
it does for sanitation."
The United States has promised to begin
delivering aid within a few days to demonstrate that its fight is with Iraqi
leaders, not the Iraqi people.
According to the information that was
received from Baghdad, the Iraqi army destroyed over 30 pieces of the American
and British defense technology and downed three helicopters. This was said by
Iraqi Minister for Information Mohammad Saeed al-Sahaf. Three armored vehicles
were put out of action and three American soldiers were killed in the battle for
a bridge across the Euphrates river. Three American military men were killed on
the outskirts of an-Nasiriya. The minister added that a female member of the
Iraqi volunteer corps Meisun Hamid Abdullah destroyed an American armored
vehicle together with the crew. The press conference of the minister was
broadcast by all Arab television channels.
PRAVDA.Ru
Translated by Dmitry Sudakov
Related links:
PRAVDA.Ru Americans Advance for Basra Oil
PRAVDA.Ru Russian Citizen Killed During Bombardment of Basra by American
Aviation
British Forces: Basra Wont Be Stormed
Iraq regulars out of Basra: British defense minister
U.S. Marines Fight Iraqis in Major Battle for Basra
U.S.-Led Forces Reach Outskirts of Basra but Do Not Try to
Enter
Daylight Raids Hit Baghdad, Basra Under Attack
CBC : Coalition forces near Basra
Read the original in
Russian: http://accidents.pravda.ru/accidents/2003/10/35/285/8808_warsvodka.html
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