US Attack on Iraq
Thursday April 10, 2003--Safar 07, 1424 A.H

Anti-war protests flare day after Iraqi regime crumbles

Anti-war protests flare day after Iraqi regime crumbles

(Updated at 2230 PST)

MADRID: Protests against the US-led war in Iraq flared worldwide Thursday, a day after Saddam Hussein's regime crumbled as US troops rolled into Baghdad to scenes of jubilation by Iraqi civilians.

In Spain, tens of thousands of people, mainly students, took to the streets to reinforce a nationwide trade union strike in protest at the war.

In the Mediterranean city of Barcelona alone, at least 30,000 people crowded into the streets, chanting "Not a soldier, not a euro, not a bullet for this war."  The streets of Madrid were also jammed, with demonstrators waving banners that read "Against the imperialist war." The Prado museum in the capital closed for two hours, with a reproduction of "Guernica," Picasso's famed anti-war painting, placed at its doors.

In Greece, nearly 600 journalists stopped work for two hours and marched to the US embassy to protest the war and the casualties it has caused among their colleagues in the media.

"Americans, murderers of peoples", "Americans, murderers of reporters,"

chanted the demonstrators. Eleven journalists and a Kurdish translator working for the BBC have been killed since the US-led war began on March 20, and another two are missing.

In Paris, a hundred demonstrators snuck into the building housing the

American Express offices and hung an anti-war banner on the first floor,

organisers said.

In Germany, a McDonald's party bus and an advertisement for the food chain on a motorway were set alight in apparent anti-war protests. In Indonesia, protesters condemned US invasion of Iraq.

In Britain, organisers vowed to go ahead with a weekend anti-war protest in London. "We are organising meeting in many parts of the country which are bigger than those which took place before the war started," said Andrew Murray, chairman of the Stop the War Coalition. The group has called a march through London on Saturday, during which participants are to lay flowers outside Downing Street in memory of those who have died in the conflict.

One US soldier killed in Baghdad suicide attack

(Updated at 2210 PST)

BAGHDAD: At least one US soldier was killed Thursday in a suicide attack in Baghdad, Major Matt Baker of the US Marines said.

"It happened north of here," Baker said, speaking at the Palestine Hotel in downtown Baghdad where the foreign press is staying. A US military source said the attack had taken place in Saddam City, an impoverished suburb in the north of Baghdad home to two million people, mostly Shiite Muslims.

It was the first suicide attack against American forces since they captured the capital Wednesday. Marines had been attacked earlier in the day by forces loyal to President Saddam Hussein along the northern banks of the Tigris river.

One marine died and 20 were wounded in the exchange at a mosque and a presidential palace complex after receiving a tip-off that Saddam himself was inside, said Major Rod Legowski, liaison officer of the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID). Five Iraqi civilians were also killed in the firefight, witnesses said. Later, US combat helicopters came to the aid of soldiers on the ground battling Iraqi and Arab fighters in a district of central Baghdad.

Five Apache helicopters hovered for over an hour over Al-Kadhimia and

Al-Otayfia neighborhoods, on the west bank of the Tigris as well as Al-Aadhamia on the opposite side. The clashes pitted US troops against Fedayeen paramilitary units and Arab volunteer fighters hiding behind sandbag reinforcements on street corners in Al-Otayfia.

Weapons of mass destruction will be recovered from Iraq: White House

(Updated at 2150 PST)

WASHINGTON: White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said on Thursday that the search for the weapons of mass destruction (WMD) was being continued and added that the WMD would be recovered from the country.

US forces "will be in control of Kirkuk," White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said Thursday, after the seizure of the city by US-backed Kurds revived fears in Turkey of a wider Kurdish independence bid.

"American forces will be in control of Kirkuk," Fleischer told reporters after Ankara again warned that any bid by the Kurds to retain permanent control of Kirkuk and Mosul, northern Iraq's other major city, would be unacceptable.

Asked whether US Secretary of State Colin Powell had given Turkey the green light to send a small number of military observers across the border, Fleischer replied: "Correct."

"We have always said that any action should be coordinated and that's the definition of coordination," he said. Washington had long warned Turkey against sending any forces into Iraq, its southern neighbor, as US and British forces numbering some 300,000 pushed ever deeper in their campaign to disarm and topple Saddam Hussein.

Ankara has threatened to send troops to the region if Kurds -- who entered Kirkuk earlier Thursday amid a popular uprising -- were allowed to take control of the city and northern Iraq's other major population center, Mosul.

Four US Marines wounded in Baghdad suicide attack
(Updated at 2115 PST)
BAGHDAD: Four U.S. Marines were seriously wounded in a suicide bomb attack near Palestine Hotel, reports from Baghdad said. 

Shia leader, his colleague killed in Najaf 
(Updated at 2015 PST)
BAGHDAD: A Shia cleric and his colleague in the central Iraqi holy city of Najaf has been killed Thursday, media reported.

Assailants armed with knives attacked Abdul Majid al-Khoei inside the Imam Ali Mosque in Najaf - one of the holiest sites for Shia Muslims.

Allied forces facing resistance in southern and northern Iraq: Britain
(Updated at 1940 PST)
LONDON: British Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon said on Thursday that the allied forces were still encountering resistance from Iraqi troops in the southern and northern parts of the country.

Blair tells Iraqis that power will be theirs

(Updated at 1905 PST)

LONDON: British Prime Minister Tony Blair promised directly to the Iraqi people Thursday that power in their country would be turned over to them, in a broadcast address on day 22 of the US-led war.  

Saddam losing power "at this moment": Bush

(Updated at 1810 PST)

WASHINGTON: US President George W. Bush said Thursday in a speech to be broadcast in Iraq that "at this moment, the regime of Saddam Hussein is being removed from power."

Allied forces eliminating resisting groups in Iraq: Centcom
(Updated at 1715 PST)
WASHINGTON: The US Central Command spokesman in a briefing on Thursday said that the allied forces were eliminating the resisting groups throughout Iraq.

The spokesman said that an independent environment was being restored in Basra, and oil wells in southern Iraq were under the control of the allied forces. The spokesman said that an independent media would be restored in Baghdad in next few days. 

Iraqi Consulate in Karachi working normally: Security official
(Updated at 1740 PST) By Javed Rashid
KARACHI: The Iraqi Consulate in Karachi was working normally and it has still not been asked to remove the country’s flag, a security official in the consulate said.

The security official said that they were also in contact with the Islamabad Consulate and public dealing was also being continued in a proper way.

Bush to address Iraqis

(Updated at 1645 PST)            

WASHINGTON: US President George W. Bush is to deliver a televised address to the Iraqi people Thursday at 6:00 pm Baghdad time, an administration official said.

Congress wants proceedings of Iraq war crime cases in international court
(Updated at 1630 PST)  

WASHINGTON: The senior American Congress leaders have called for the hearing of cases against Iraqi war prisoners in the international court.

The US government however wants to conduct the proceedings of the war crime cases in Iraq and the US instead of the international courts.

German embassy, French cultural centre in Baghdad sacked by

Looters

(Updated at 1545 PST)

BAGHDAD: The German embassy and the French cultural centre in Baghdad were sacked by looters Thursday, a foreign news agency reported.

Chirac hails end to Saddam “dictatorship" in Iraq
(Updated at 1540 PST)

PARIS: French President Chirac on Thursday hailed end of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein dictatorship" in Iraq, and said he hoped the fighting in the country would end soon.

Central Kirkuk falls to Kurdish forces without fighting
(Updated at 1525 PST)
KIRKUK: US-backed Kurdish forces took possession of the centre of northern Iraq's key oil city of Kirkuk without a fight Thursday, a news agency reported.

Turkey urges UN to play due role in Iraq

(Updated at 1520 PST)

ANKARA: Turkey on Thursday urged the United Nations to play its due role in Iraq after end to war and ensure the use of country’s resources for the people the country.

Powell denies US plans to wage war against Syria, Iran
(Updated at 1410 PST)
WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Colin Powell said in an interview published Thursday that recent US warnings to Syria and Iran should not be interpreted as threats of war. 

"We believe that all of these nations -- Syria, Iran, others -- should realize that pursuing weapons of mass destruction, supporting terrorist activities, is not in their interest," Powell told The Los Angeles Times. "That doesn't mean that war is coming to them, it just means that the world is changing," he added. 

US marines face heavy resistance in Baghdad, one killed
(Updated at 1140 PST) 
BAGHDAD: US marines came under heavy fire Thursday from Saddam Hussein's loyalists along the northern banks of the Tigris river, with one marine reported killed and 13 wounded, a US officer said. 

Two civilians killed, three injured in allied forces fire
(Updated at 1130 PST)
BAGHDAD: Two civilians were killed and three injured when the allied forces opened fire on an ambulance carrying injured in Baghdad.

The US forces said that they attacked the ambulance after suspecting that it was loaded with explosive material.

US denies Saddam handed over Baghdad through deal
(Updated at 1110 PST)
BAGHDAD: Chief of Joint Staff of American Army on Thursday denied reports that Saddam Hussein handed over Baghdad to the allied forces through a deal.

He said that it was too early to announce a victory in Iraq because battle was still going on in several other cities in the country.

Saddam's secret archives could be in Moscow: Report
(Updated at 1030 PST)
MOSCOW: Saddam Hussein's secret archives could already be in Moscow despite the CIA's bid to block their evacuation by firing at the Russian diplomatic convoy near Baghdad on Sunday, media reported Thursday.

Quoting intelligence sources Nezavisimaya Gazeta today reported that Sunday's attack by the U.S. rangers on the Russian ambassador's convoy near Baghdad was a "direct clash between the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service SVR and the CIA".

Moscow had asked the U.S. for safe passage from Baghdad to Syria for its ambassador's convoy and a ``Predator'' drone was hovering over it all along the way from the embassy in Baghdad transmitting live video pictures, the daily said ruling out any case of mistaken identity by the U.S. troops which fired at it. 

Meanwhile, Russia's Foreign Ministry spokesman denied what state-run television said today were Western media reports that Mr. Hussein had taken refuge at the Russian Embassy in Baghdad, saying they ``do not correspond with reality''. 

Explosions heard in southern and northern parts of Baghdad

(Updated at 0845 PST)
BAGHDAD: Explosions were heard in southern and northern parts of Baghdad early Thursday.

The CIA officials were hunting for Iraqi scientists for the search of weapons of mass destruction. The B-52 bombers were also flying over Baghdad.

Attacks on Saddam Hussein’s native town Tikrit continue
(Updated at 0830 PST)

LONDON: The allied forces Thursday continued attacks on Saddam Hussein’s native town Tikrit, a report said.

Al-Douri leaves New York to France

(Updated at 0820 PST)

LONDON: Iraqi ambassador to UN Mohammad Al-Douri left New York to France, a report said.

He said that there was no contact with the Iraq government after the coalition forces took control of Baghdad.  

Arab World reaction over Saddam govt fall
(Updated at 0815 PST)
LONDON: In reaction to Saddam government fall in Iraq, Kuwait Information Minister Sheikh Ahmed said that the people of Iraqi would run the country.

Jordan government said that the people of Iraq should be given right to elect their leader of the country.  

20 Palestinian students wounded in school blast
(Updated at 0755 PST)

JENIN, West Bank: An explosion wounded 20 students at a Palestinian high school in the West Bank village of Jaba'a near Jenin on Wednesday.

A hitherto unknown rightist Jewish group calling itself "Revenge of the Infants" claimed responsibility in a message sent to Israeli reporters' pagers, Israeli police said. But Israeli security sources said police had pronounced the claim "doubtful" after initial checks into its authenticity.     The blast tore through the 16-year-olds' classroom as they returned from recess. Two of the injured were in serious

condition.  Jewish vigilantes have carried out several attacks against Palestinians during the two-and-a-half-year-old revolt for Palestinian independence.   

New Zealand says celebrations over Baghdad fall premature
(Updated at 0715 PST)
WELLINGTON: New Zealand Thursday welcomed the apparent fall of the Iraqi capital Baghdad but cautioned against premature celebration.

"There are still other towns and cities where there still may be fighting in the future," Foreign Minister Phil Goff told reporters. Goff said the world would be pleased the "sad pictures of civilian deaths and maiming and injuring of people" was coming to an end.

But he said few would miss President Saddam Hussein, adding New Zealand hoped Iraqis would be able to participate quickly in democratic elections.   Prime Minister Helen Clark said through a spokesman the government looked forward to the end of the war and the rebuilding of Iraq 

Difficulties lie ahead despite 'fall of Baghdad': Australia
(Updated at 0655 PST)
SYDNEY: US, British and Australian forces still face the difficult task of overcoming pockets of resistance in Iraq even after successfully storming Baghdad, Australia's defense minister said Thursday.

"There are difficulties ahead, the first difficulty is in effect to complete the war," Robert Hill said the morning after US troops swept through central Baghdad amid popular celebration at the fall of Saddam Hussein.

"There is still sporadic fighting within Baghdad, parts of the government sector of Baghdad haven't yet been taken on the ground, there's still fighting around Tikrit," he said, referring to the main city in Saddam's home region in northern Iraq.

Prime Minister John Howard meanwhile called a meeting of his National Security Committee for Thursday to discuss Iraq, where 2,000 Australian troops have been fighting alongside some 300,000 American and British soldiers.

Canberra has also sent six experts to participate in US-led efforts to rebuild Iraq, but Howard has said Australia will not play a major post-war role in the country.  

US policy of new Iraqi govt by its people still unclear: Gujral
(Updated at 0645 PST)
LONDON: Former Indian Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral has said that American policy of new Iraqi government by its people was still unclear.

In an interview to a British TV channel, he said that if democracy was introduced in Iraq, Shias would rule the country because they were in majority and this would creat an anger in Sunni neighboring countries. 

Pentagon facing dilemma of when to declare victory
(Updated at 0630 PST)
WASHINGTON: With the collapse of Baghdad and no visible signs of control from the Iraqi regime, the Pentagon could soon declare victory, without waiting to clear out the final pockets of resistance to US troops. 

Due to the fluidity of the situation, the dilemma for US military officials will now be in evaluating the best course of action and will choose the right moment to present their recommendation to civil authorities.

Protocol would require that a formal declaration of military victory in Iraq be left to US President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair. According to US officials cited by the Washington Post, the Bush

administration has set out a procedure to determine the exact moment when victory can be declared, without necessarily awaiting the end of military operations.

Iraqi exiles are jubilant while other Muslims voice anger
(Updated at 0600 PST)
LONDON: The contrast was startling among London's Muslim community. While Iraqi exiles rejoiced Wednesday at the collapse of Saddam Hussein's brutal rule, those from other Arab nations expressed firm opposition to the US presence in Iraq.

Two Iraqis, in jovial mood, stood in front of Iraq's empty diplomatic mission in west London, the scene earlier Wednesday of a break-in by some 20 exiles who defaced portraits of Saddam as they celebrated the seizure of central Baghdad by US marines.

 "This is a dream that comes true," said an emotional Bashir Abas, an exile of 20 years. "When I saw the statue of Saddam falling down, I was choked, it's fantastic," he added.

In Edgware Road, a predominantly Muslim area of central London, cafes and restaurants had their television sets switched to 24-hour news channels -- the Arabic-language network Al-Jazeera being the most watched. The boss of a Lebanese restaurant pointed out that while Iraqi exiles "are  happy to get rid of Saddam Hussein... they will be even more happy whan they get rid of the Americans."

Iraqi soldiers accused of "serious war crimes"
(Updated at 0500 PST)
WASHINGTON: US-led coalitions forces waging war in Iraq have accused Iraqi soldiers of "serious war crimes" that includes suicidal bombing, using innocent Iraqi citizens as shield and civil hospitals as weapon stores sources reported on Thursday.

Defeat, victory are parts of a war: Iraqi Ambassador
(Updated at 0425 PST)
NEW YORK: Iraqi Ambassador to UN Safeer Mohammad-ud-Doori said Thursday that defeat and victory are parts of a war, but this US-led war on Iraq has eventually come to an end.

Global cheer as Saddam regime crumbles, but eyes on Iraq's future
(Updated at 0040 PST)
PARIS: World leaders hailed the demise of the Baghdad regime Wednesday as euphoric Iraqis tore down a giant statue of Saddam Hussein in scenes recalling the historic fall of the Berlin Wall more than a decade ago.

"This is a very good day for the Iraqi people," US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld declared. "Saddam Hussein is now taking his place alongside Hitler, Stalin, Lenin ... in the pantheon of failed dictators."

"Watching them, one cannot help but think of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Iron Curtain," he said. But Washington warned the three-week-old war was not over yet, as world attention turned to the task of bringing aid to Iraq and rebuilding the country after 24 years of iron-fisted rule and almost 13 years of UN sanctions.

"We are still in the midst of a shooting war, and men and women are still in harm's way. The war is not over. There remain a lot of dangers ahead," White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said.

US plans conference to prepare Iraqi Interim Authority
(Updated at 0040 PST)
WASHINGTON, April 9rst step in organizing an interim indigenous government for the country. The meeting is expected to be the first in a series of similar gatherings that will pave the way for a larger conference to be held in Baghdad at which the interim government would be chosen, officials said.

Vice President Dick Cheney said the meeting was set for Saturday near the southern city of Nasiriyah but the State Department, which said it would be "heavily involved" in planning the talks, said no date or venue was yet set.

And, in another sign of persistent deep internal divisions in Washington over Iraq's post-war administration, one department official said the conference was unlikely to be held in Nasiriyah.

"We're going to have a meeting on the 12th, just three days from now, in Tallil outside An Nasiriyah in southern Iraq, where we will bring together representatives of groups from all over Iraq to begin to sit down and talk about planning for the future of this Iraqi Interim Authority (IIA) and getting it up and running," Cheney said in a speech in New Orleans.

State Department spokesman Richard Boucher would not comment on Cheney's remarks but indicated that the meeting was still in the planning stages and that no venue had been decided.

Loud explosions in southwestern outskirts of Baghdad
(Updated at 0040 PST) 
BAGHDAD: Massive explosions were heard Wednesday in the southwestern outskirts of Baghdad, despite the advance by US troops to the center of the Iraqi capital earlier the same day, sources said.

US says it regrets Afghan bomb error which killed 11 civilians 
(Updated at 0040 PST)
WASHINGTON: The United States said Wednesday it sincerely regreted the deaths of 11 Afghan civilians, killed when a stray US bomb hit their house.

Humanitarian aid delivered to Baghdad airport: Rumsfeld
(Updated at 0030 PST) 
WASHINGTON: Aircraft have delivered aid supplies to the Baghdad international airport, US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said Wednesday.

UN appeals for more than $2 billion humanitarian aid for Iraqi people
(Updated at 0020 PST)
NEW YORK: United Nations has against appealed to the International community for aid more than $2 billion for Iraqi people on humanitarian basis, sources said on Wednesday quoting UN Chief for Oil-for-Food programme.

The aid is required in different shapes, i.e. medicine, food, etc.

No deal on Saddam regime: White House
(Updated at 0020 PST)
BAGHDAD: White House spokesman said Wednesday no deal could ever be made on Saddam regime, for it is not Saddam's rule has collapsed and has no bearing in the country-Iraq.

Ambush attacks by Iraqis reported
(Updated at 0010 PST)
BAGHDAD: Since Saddam's rule seemingly has come to and end, US forces with their tanks have reached at the center of Baghdad city, sources said Wednesday and they were now not facing any resistance. 

Since the ambush attacks by Iraqi people were reported, no civil authorities nor Iraqi soldiers were seen on the roads as the US-led coalition forces proceed further into the city.