Baghdad water treatment station hit by missile: ICRC

BAGHDAD (AFP) Apr 08, 2003
A water purification station in northern Baghdad was hit overnight by a missile, putting at risk water supply to a major suburb, the spokesman for the International Committee of the Red Cross here, Roland Huguenin-Benjamin, said Tuesday.

"With the Qanat station out of operation, Saddam City risks being deprived of water," he told AFP.

Nearly 1.2 million people live in Saddam City, mostly Shiite Muslims the US-led coalition considers a potential source of opposition to Saddam Hussein's rule.

The lack of water and electricity has also hit hard the Saddam Medical Center on the east bank of the Tigris river, with six of its 27 operating sections out of service, Huguenin-Benjamin said.

Much of Baghdad and its outskirts have been without power for days amid fierce fighting between US and Iraqi forces.

SPACE.WIRE