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23/07/2003
Saddam's sons confirmed killed in Mosul firefight
Saddam Hussein's sons Qusay and Uday – the aces of hearts and clubs in the US's most wanted cards – have been confirmed dead today by US authorities following a "fierce gun battle" in Mosul, northern Iraq yesterday.
Two other bodies have also been recovered from the building the pair had barricaded themselves inside. One is thought to be Uday's 14-year-old son and the second body may be that of a bodyguard.
The US is considering broadcasting film of the bodies to persuade a sceptical local population that Uday and Qusay have indeed been killed.
The commander of US forces in Iraq, Lt Gen Ricardo Sanchez, said that US troops swamped the area following a tip from a local who approached US forces. The troops were then fired upon are they approached the house.
Lt Gen Sanchez said that Coalition forces responded with "multiple weapons systems" – or heavy machine guns, Apache gunships, RPGs and grenades – and a four-hour firefight ensued.
He added that Saddam's sons died when "they resisted detention and the efforts of the coalition forces to go in there and apprehend them".
"They were killed in the ensuing gunfight and the attacks that we conducted on the residence," he said. "We're certain Uday and Qusay were killed today. We used multiple sources to identify the individuals. The bodies are in a condition where you could identify them."
US officials are still working to identify two others killed in the fight, he added.
Four coalition soldiers were wounded in the operation.
"This will prove to the Iraqi people that at least these two members of the regime will not be coming back into power, which is what we've stated over and over again. And we remain totally committed to the Hussein regime never returning to power and tormenting the Iraqi people," he said.
The Iraqi who tipped off Coalition forces could be in line for $30 million in reward money being offered by the US for locating Saddam's sons.
(GMcG)
Two other bodies have also been recovered from the building the pair had barricaded themselves inside. One is thought to be Uday's 14-year-old son and the second body may be that of a bodyguard.
The US is considering broadcasting film of the bodies to persuade a sceptical local population that Uday and Qusay have indeed been killed.
The commander of US forces in Iraq, Lt Gen Ricardo Sanchez, said that US troops swamped the area following a tip from a local who approached US forces. The troops were then fired upon are they approached the house.
Lt Gen Sanchez said that Coalition forces responded with "multiple weapons systems" – or heavy machine guns, Apache gunships, RPGs and grenades – and a four-hour firefight ensued.
He added that Saddam's sons died when "they resisted detention and the efforts of the coalition forces to go in there and apprehend them".
"They were killed in the ensuing gunfight and the attacks that we conducted on the residence," he said. "We're certain Uday and Qusay were killed today. We used multiple sources to identify the individuals. The bodies are in a condition where you could identify them."
US officials are still working to identify two others killed in the fight, he added.
Four coalition soldiers were wounded in the operation.
"This will prove to the Iraqi people that at least these two members of the regime will not be coming back into power, which is what we've stated over and over again. And we remain totally committed to the Hussein regime never returning to power and tormenting the Iraqi people," he said.
The Iraqi who tipped off Coalition forces could be in line for $30 million in reward money being offered by the US for locating Saddam's sons.
(GMcG)
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24 July 2003
Photos of Saddam's dead sons released
The US have released photographs today of the dead bodies of Saddam Hussein's sons, Uday and Qusay, who were killed in a firefight in Mosul on Tuesday. Reuters were the first news agency to see the photographs and reported this morning that the images were of the former dictator's sons.
Photos of Saddam's dead sons released
The US have released photographs today of the dead bodies of Saddam Hussein's sons, Uday and Qusay, who were killed in a firefight in Mosul on Tuesday. Reuters were the first news agency to see the photographs and reported this morning that the images were of the former dictator's sons.
14 November 2003
UN calls for calm after Afghan car bomb
The UN has called on the Afghan government to "provide more security" for its operations following a car explosion on Tuesday night outside UN offices in the southern city of Kandahar. The Security Council in New York also condemned the attack, which injured a UN guard and a passing Afghan student.
UN calls for calm after Afghan car bomb
The UN has called on the Afghan government to "provide more security" for its operations following a car explosion on Tuesday night outside UN offices in the southern city of Kandahar. The Security Council in New York also condemned the attack, which injured a UN guard and a passing Afghan student.
31 March 2003
Marine dies as Baghdad bombing intensifies
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Marine dies as Baghdad bombing intensifies
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26 July 2010
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08 April 2004
Hundreds killed as US troops battle with Iraqi militants
More than 35 US soldiers and 450 Iraqis are thought to have been killed in country-wide clashes between rebel militias and Coalition forces since the weekend, according to reports emerging from Iraq today. Around 300 Iraqis are thought to have been killed in Fallujah where US forces have been attempting to regain control of the city.
Hundreds killed as US troops battle with Iraqi militants
More than 35 US soldiers and 450 Iraqis are thought to have been killed in country-wide clashes between rebel militias and Coalition forces since the weekend, according to reports emerging from Iraq today. Around 300 Iraqis are thought to have been killed in Fallujah where US forces have been attempting to regain control of the city.
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