Breaking Headline

London Denies Allies' Warplanes Raided South Iraq

Published September 13th, 2001 - 02:00 GMT
Al Bawaba
Al Bawaba

Britain on Thursday denied reports from Iraq that US and British warplanes had carried out a raid in the south of that country. 

A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Defense told AFP that the reports were "absolute rubbish, completely unfounded." 

Iraq said earlier Thursday that US and British warplanes had carried out a raid in Wassel province in the south of the country 

"US and British warplanes Thursday carried out a raid in Wassel province, destroying several houses," the official INA news agency said.  

Baghdad said Tuesday it had shot down an unmanned American surveillance aircraft in southern Iraq for the second time in two weeks, confirming US fears the country has upgraded its previously-ineffectual air defense systems. 

On August 27, Washington confirmed its first loss of a drone over southern Iraq while on a "routine" mission, the first allied aircraft casualty since the 1991 Gulf War. 

Washington has confirmed the losses of the planes, but not admitted they were brought down by the Iraqis - Albawaba.com  

Subscribe

Sign up to our newsletter for exclusive updates and enhanced content