US says Iraq may bomb Shiite neigborhoods to tarnish coalition

AS-SALIYAH, Qatar (AFP) Apr 03, 2003
Forces loyal to Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein may be planning a bombing campaign in Shiite neighborhoods of Baghdad that it would then blame on coalition forces, a US spokesman said here Thursday.

"US Central Command has reliable information that the Iraqi regime may be planning to begin anonymous bombing campaigns in several Baghdad Shiite neighborhoods in an attempt to falsely accuse the coalition of this destruction for propaganda purposes," CentCom Director of Strategic Communications Jim Wilkinson said in a statement.

US forces early Thursday battled their way to Baghdad airport, 30 kilometres (20 miles) southwest of the capital, and were mounting a push against the city -- and the rule of Saddam Hussein -- from two directions.

US commanders and spokesmen at their forward command base here have repeatedly warned that in desperation Iraq might seek to discredit the coalition by attacking civilian centers and religious shrines and then accusing US and British troops for the actions.

SPACE.WIRE