WORLD NEWS

 

March 21, 2003

 

A Massive Attack

 

Heavy bombing from the air begins in Iraq

 

After two days of dropping bombs on a few key targets in Baghdad and sending ground troops into Iraq, the military began a thunderous, wide-ranging attack from the air. Fire and smoke filled the sky over Baghdad and huge bombs hit many buildings. Among the targets hit: Saddam Hussein's Old Palace compound and the headquarters of his ruling Ba'ath Party. Military leaders said that hundreds of bombing runs were planned.

 

The sound of missiles screeched throughout the city of 5 million Iraqis. The U.S.-led forces call the plan "shock and awe," because they hope that its intensity will frighten the Iraqi leaders into surrendering. Ground troops continued to move toward Baghdad. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said Saddam Hussein and his advisers are "starting to lose control of their country."

 

Indeed, hordes of Iraqi soldiers have reportedly surrendered to troops in Kuwait. Photos and TV images of soldiers carrying white flags of surrender were shown on news stations. Iraq's information minister, Mohammed Sa'eed al-Sahhaf, insisted that no troops had surrendered. He suggested that the TV images were fake.

 

Encountering the Iraqi People

 

In some areas, Iraqis fought back. A few had only pistols and other small weapons. U.S. forces also encountered troops in armored vehicles. But some Iraqis seemed relieved to see the U.S.-led troops. Waving townspeople greeted members of the 1st Marine Division as they entered the town of Safwan.

 

"We're very happy ... Saddam Hussein is a butcher," said a man in the back of a pickup truck, who said his name was Abdullah. Using chains, some of the troops hauled down giant portraits of Saddam Hussein that overlooked a street.

 

http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/news/story/0,6260,435754,00.html