| Subject: Western Journalists Shown Wreckage Of US Tanks After Iraqis Route |
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Date Posted: 20:42:31 04/06/03 Sun
Iraq: 50 U.S. troops killed, tanks hit
From the International Desk
Published 4/6/2003 8:59 AM
BAGHDAD, Iraq, April 6 (UPI) -- A senior Iraqi official said Sunday Iraqi forces killed 50 American and British troops, destroyed six tanks and downed two Apache helicopters, while insisting Iraqi forces were in control of Saddam airport in Baghdad.
Information Minister Mohammad Saeed al-Sahhaf said in a daily briefing Sunday that U.S forces have "been forced to retreat," vacating the international airport on the outskirts of Baghdad. Meanwhile, the coalition said it still holds the airport.
Sahhaf said the U.S. forces "retreat every time our forces pound them with all types of artillery. When we stop, they try to return to the airport through passages that we leave open for certain considerations."
Al-Sahhaf added that "when the enemy retreats, they start maneuvering here and there for purpose of taking pictures for empty propaganda."
He also denied that the British forces had entered the southern city of Basra, Iraq's second-largest city.
In addition, the minister denied reports that Gen. Ali Hassan al-Majeed, aka "Chemical Ali," commander of the southern region and a cousin of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, had been killed.
Al-Sahhaf's comments came as state-owned Iraqi Television said Sunday the authorities would enforce a 12-hour curfew, banning anyone leaving Baghdad from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Meanwhile, the Iraqi Information Ministry Sunday arranged a tour for journalists to al-Saidiyah, 10 kilometers east of Baghdad airport to see the remains of what appeared to have been fierce battles between U.S. and Iraqi forces. Tens of Iraqi soldiers and civilians stood on destroyed U.S. tanks chanting "with our lives and blood, we sacrifice for Saddam."
They said they "killed lots of soldiers and took many prisoners before they retreated" during Saturday night fighting in the area.
Copyright © 2001-2003 United Press International
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