March 29, 2003	Saturday	Muharram 25, 1424

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)

IRAQ, March 28: Following are the events took place on Friday (the ninth day of war on Iraq):

* Warplanes, cruise missiles strike Baghdad in some of heaviest bombing in war; US drops two “bunker-buster” bombs on communications tower.

* UK army chief says Iraqi army pinned down in south, conventional battle with Republican Guard not far away; Iraq promises “living hell for invaders.”

* UN World Food programme appeals for $1.3 billion for Iraqi food aid; UN Security Council votes to revamp oil-for-food programme.

* British officer says Iraqi forces fire mortar bombs on civilians leaving Basra.

* Russia says war is most serious post-Cold War crisis, threatens global stability and international law. EVENTS (ALL TIMES GMT):

Friday -

* Bush speaks to veterans (1930)

Saturday -

* Kofi Annan meets Israeli foreign minister (1500) QUOTES:

UK army chief Jackson: “The conventional battle, if you like, with the Republican Guard is not too far away.”

Putin: “It is the first time since the end of the Cold War that the international community has confronted such a serious crisis, given the risk of upsetting the basis of global stability and international law.” CASUALTIES:

* US — 27 killed, 21 missing

* UK — 20 killed, two missing

* Iraqi military — no confirmed figures

* Iraqi civilians (Iraqi estimates) - 449 killed, 4,230 injured

MILITARY ACTION:

BAGHDAD: Warplanes and cruise missiles pound Baghdad, hit Baath party office. US B-52 bomber dropped two 4,500lb “bunker busting” bombs on the capital for the first time.

US Central Command in Qatar says warplanes and Tomahawk missiles knocked out a communications centre and command and control facilities in the capital.

SOUTHERN IRAQ: American brigades advancing on Baghdad battled around 1,500 Iraqis overnight near Najaf, 160 km south of the capital.

British military officials say Iraqi forces shot at about 2,000 civilians trying to flee fighting and a humanitarian crisis in Basra, forcing some to turn back.

NORTHERN IRAQ: Kurdish fighters cross Iraqi frontline near Chamchamal for first time after Iraqi troops withdrew towards the oil city of Kirkuk. The area has been regularly bombed by US warplanes.—Reuters