Bombings 'Fail To Kill' Saddam

The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 4-9-2003 | Michael Smith/Neil Tweedie

[blam]

Bombings 'fail to kill' Saddam

By Michael Smith, Defence Correspondent and Neil Tweedie in Qatar
(Filed: 09/04/2003)

America pulverised a Baghdad restaurant in a second attempt to kill Saddam Hussein, but intelligence sources suggested yesterday that the Iraqi leader had escaped.

A Royal Marine stands in front of a mural of Saddam Hussein in Basra

The restaurant in the Mansur district of the capital was destroyed by four 2,000lb smart bombs dropped by a single US aircraft early yesterday.

The Pentagon would only confirm publicly that it had hit a "leadership target" in the district, a Ba'ath Party stronghold. Privately, one official said: "If Saddam did not slip out, then he is dead."

The attack left a crater 50 yards wide where the restaurant had been. Local people said up to 14 people were believed to have died, but indications yesterday led the allies to believe that the Iraqi dictator had eluded them for a second time in the war.

The attack was followed by a day of ferocious fighting in Baghdad in which at least seven US troops were killed.

The Americans said last night they were pushing from three directions to extend their control of the capital. Tanks from the US 3rd Infantry also advanced across a bridge over the Tigris to attack Iraqis on the east bank.

Three journalists died in two separate US attacks, on the Hotel Palestine, in which most of the foreign journalists are based, and the offices of the al-Jazeera Arabic satellite television station.

[blam]

[MHGinTN]

Well, perhaps this will encourage more of the Saddamites in Jordan, Egypt, Yemen, Syria, etc., to accompany those 'brave' Palestinian terrorists heading to Iraq to free their beloved Saddam. We've not run out of ordinance or bullets. Hurry, the show is almost over ...

[caisson71]

But, intelligence sources also say that they are following brown trailings in a tunnel complex beneath the bombed out building laced with yellow streaks, believed to be from Sadoom and his two offspring. DNA tests to confirm.

[caisson71]

But, intelligence sources also say that they are following brown trailings in a tunnel complex beneath the bombed out building laced with yellow streaks, believed to be from Sadoom and his two offspring. DNA tests to confirm.