Iraqi resistance fighters shelled British forces in the southern city of Amarah Sunday, prompting strikes by British helicopters, witnesses said. According to The AP, four Iraqi civilians were killed, and several houses were destroyed. Locals blamed British airstrikes.
The mortar fire at about 2 a.m. targeted the governor's building, where British soldiers are located in the city.
Soon after, British helicopters hit buildings in the city's Sadeq district, witnesses said.
The dead included an 8-month-old child and a man in his 60s. At least eight people were injured.
At least a dozen buildings were seen destroyed or damaged in the neighborhood.
Meanwhile, the head of U.S. detention centers in Iraq said Saturday the military has no plans to close the Abu Ghraib prison and blamed the abuse of Iraqi detainees there on poor leadership and disregard for the rules.
Maj. Gen. Geoffrey Miller said the United States plans to reduce the number of prisoners to help improve conditions but added that "we will continue to conduct interrogation missions at the Abu Ghraib facility."
According to The AP, Miller said he visited all 14 prison facilities in Iraq to review procedures and that an Army team of 31 experts was in the country retraining prison guards, a process that would last until June 30. (Albawaba.com)
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
