chamo
26th March 2003, 19:04
Ashley Davies, George Wright, Sally Bolton and agencies
Wednesday March 26, 2003
Iraq today claimed that "many, many" civilians were killed after allied bombs or missiles hit a market in Baghdad.
An Iraqi defence ministry spokesman said that at least 12 had been killed and 30 injured in the raid, which happened in a heavily-populated area in the north of the city.
The scene of the explosion, in the al-Shaab district, is 15 minutes from the centre of Baghdad. Witnesses described hearing a low-flying aircraft followed by two loud explosions.
Western journalists who were on the scene in minutes said that they had counted at least 15 bodies.
The Arabic satellite television channel al-Jazeera showed several charred cars at the scene, and at least one bloodied body was being carried away.
Hundreds of people stood in front of what appeared to be a bombed-out building, some with their firsts in the air, shouting: "There is no God but God."
In London, the prime minister's official spokesman said that Downing Street was seeking information about the Baghdad market blast, but did not, at this stage, know the cause of the explosion.
He added: "We have always accepted that there will be some very regrettable civilian casualties."
The market explosion, which took place at around 10.30am, was followed this afternoon by reports of further heavy bombing in the capital.
US general Vincent Brooks told reporters at a press briefing this afternoon that he could not be certain US-led forces were responsible.
He said: "We don't have a report that corroborates that, so I can't confirm it. We do everything physically and scientifically possible to be precise in our targeting."
The defence secretary, Geoff Hoon, said that the risk of civilian casualties in Iraq will increase with aerial bombardments, but added that the risk would not slow down the military campaign.
More Here (http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,922417,00.html)
Wednesday March 26, 2003
Iraq today claimed that "many, many" civilians were killed after allied bombs or missiles hit a market in Baghdad.
An Iraqi defence ministry spokesman said that at least 12 had been killed and 30 injured in the raid, which happened in a heavily-populated area in the north of the city.
The scene of the explosion, in the al-Shaab district, is 15 minutes from the centre of Baghdad. Witnesses described hearing a low-flying aircraft followed by two loud explosions.
Western journalists who were on the scene in minutes said that they had counted at least 15 bodies.
The Arabic satellite television channel al-Jazeera showed several charred cars at the scene, and at least one bloodied body was being carried away.
Hundreds of people stood in front of what appeared to be a bombed-out building, some with their firsts in the air, shouting: "There is no God but God."
In London, the prime minister's official spokesman said that Downing Street was seeking information about the Baghdad market blast, but did not, at this stage, know the cause of the explosion.
He added: "We have always accepted that there will be some very regrettable civilian casualties."
The market explosion, which took place at around 10.30am, was followed this afternoon by reports of further heavy bombing in the capital.
US general Vincent Brooks told reporters at a press briefing this afternoon that he could not be certain US-led forces were responsible.
He said: "We don't have a report that corroborates that, so I can't confirm it. We do everything physically and scientifically possible to be precise in our targeting."
The defence secretary, Geoff Hoon, said that the risk of civilian casualties in Iraq will increase with aerial bombardments, but added that the risk would not slow down the military campaign.
More Here (http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,922417,00.html)