Iraqi forces set fire to oil pipelines in Khanaqin

KUNA ^ | 03/20/2003

[Colorado Doug]

Iraqi forces set fire to oil pipelines

KUN0171 4 GEN 0109 KUWAIT /KUNA-QMS1 MIL-IRAN-IRAQ-OIL FIRES Iraqi forces set fire to oil pipelines

TEHRAN, March 20 (KUNA) -- Iraqi forces set fire on Thursday to its oil pipelines in the city of Khanaqin, located northeast of the capital Baghdad, in attempt to stop U.S. aircraft and forces from reaching their targets, Iranian News Agency (IRNA) said. Billowing smoke emitting from Iraqi territory could be seen clearly from the Khasruwi area, a part of Iran's Qasr Sherein province located on the western border with Iraq. Earlier, reports indicated that Iraqi troops set on fire oil wells in southern Iraq, Rumsfeld told reporters in a Pentagon briefing. (end) tn.naa KUNA 202035 Mar 03NNNN

[misunderestimated]

Billowing smoke emitting from Iraqi territory could be seen clearly from the Khasruwi area,

How? It's nightime there.

[thatsnotnice]

I've always wondered if they can use a daisy cutter or something similar to blow out the fires.

I know that in the past oil companies and utilities have used explosives to blow out gas fires. I don't know how it works exactly - whether the explosion blows out the fire or whether it burns up the oxygen and it quits burning or what.

[expatpat]

I believe it works by separating the flame (the heat) from the fuel, just like blowing out a candle (or having your match blow out by the wind when you're lighting a cigarette).