(Washington Post)- U.S. Special Operations forces have broken the Iraqi government's control over a broad swath of territory that extends about 200 miles into western Iraq from Jordan, U.S. military officials said Thursday. "I wouldn't say we control all the area, but it is territory that Saddam no longer controls," a senior official said. The area includes several airfields and countless hiding places that U.S. military officials have worried Iraq might use to launch drone aircraft or Scud missiles against Israel, Jordan, or Saudi Arabia. Its control by U.S. forces would provide not only a buffer against potential Iraqi attack but also another avenue of approach to Baghdad.
2003-03-28 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive