U.S. unleashes blitz on Baghdad [Reuter's complete report]

Reuters | Friday, March 21, 2003

[JohnHuang2]

U.S. unleashes blitz on Baghdad

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - U.S.-led forces unleashed a devastating blitz on Baghdad on Friday night, triggering giant fireballs, deafening explosions and huge, thick clouds above the city center .

Missiles slammed into palaces of President Saddam Hussein, and key government buildings, in an onslaught that far exceeded strikes when war was launched Thursday, Reuters correspondents said.

"The earth is literally shaking in Baghdad," Reuters correspondent Khaled Oweis said.

Fires broke out in the wrecked buildings. Ambulances rushed around the city, sirens wailing.

"The sky is totally lit," said Reuters correspondent Samia Nakhoul, adding that the strikes appeared to be targeting the Republican Guard and the main symbols of Saddam's rule.#

"Black smoke is mushrooming into the air over the presidential palace compound," she said.

To the north, Reuters witnesses reported seeing anti-aircraft fire and explosions over the northern towns of Mosul and Kirkut.

"I can see a light patch where the city is behind a ridge. I can see anti-aircraft fire and the lights of what seem to be planes flying past," said Sebastian Alison about 25 miles from the city of Mosul.

"It's a very clear and cloudless sky."

Reuters reporter Joe Logan in Kurdish-held northern Iraq, on high ground with a view to Kirkuk, an oil city some 20 miles away in government-held territory, saw anti-aircraft fire over the city and heard several big explosions.

"I saw half a dozen bright white flashes, probably around the outskirts of Kirkuk and then heard several booms," he said. "There was a lot of anti-aircraft fire...Then there were several more flashes nearer the city and I can see smoke rising from one site near the city."

U.S.-led forces struck Baghdad with cruise missiles and bombs on Thursday in two waves, at dawn and late at night at the start of a U.S.-led strikes aimed at Saddam and other Iraqi leaders.

[JohnHuang2]

Friday, March 21, 2003

Quote of the Day by usafsk

[dwilli]

Trust the State Dept will send a video of this light
show to the tiny despot in North Korea.

[HELLRAISER II]

All I can say is that it's about F***ing time. I'm so glad the P.C. politics is at an end.

[ReaganRevolution]

Is this supposed to go on for multiple nights, or is this going to be just today?

[HELLRAISER II]

I'm sure they're on the "To do" list.

[tet68]

Boy, there's nothing better than triggering an enormous fireball.
Bring the steaks out, the grill is lit.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bump-list

[RichGuy]

The original discussion by the administration was that "Shock and Awe" would use as much ordnance in 2 weeks as had been used in Desert Storm. However, nothing has been going as originally expected, so this may no longer be true.

[ReaganRevolution]

Originally I heard there were a total of 7,000 targets, but as you said this may not be the case any longer.