Posted on 03/21/2003 3:48:23 AM PST by JohnHuang2
UK's Hoon says Umm Qasr to be controlled shortly
LONDON, March 21 (Reuters) - British Defence Minister Geoff Hoon said on Friday fighting was continuing at the Iraqi port of Umm Qasr but he expected allied forces to take control of the port shortly.
"Although action is continuing, we expect Umm Qasr to be fully under coalition control shortly," Hoon told parliament.
He said that less than 24 hours since the attack began, operations "are making steady progress."
Hoon confirmed that allied forces had taken the Al Faw peninsula in southeastern Iraq. Most of the oil infrastructure on that peninsula had been secured intact, he said.
"The tip of the peninsula was secured as planned. Some resistance, including the use of mortars and artillery, has been encountered and there was a small-scale engagement with individual Iraqi troops, resulting in four known Iraqi fatalities. This engagement is continuing," he said.
Hoon added that since 1800 GMT on Thursday, British forces had fired 50 Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles at targets in Baghdad that were closely associated with the Iraqi regime.
Asked about the fate of President Saddam Hussein, he said there was great deal of controversy over whether it was Saddam or a double who appeared on Iraqi television after Thursday's pre-emptive missile strike against him.
On requests to overfly Turkey, Hoon said Ankara was being positive and helpful.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.