Posted on 03/24/2003 10:53:40 AM PST by kattracks
Iraq fires 3 missiles into Kuwait, Patriots hit 2
KUWAIT, March 24 (Reuters) - Iraq launched three missiles into Kuwait on Monday, two of which were destroyed by a U.S. Patriot battery and one left to land in a northern desert area.
A Kuwaiti defence ministry spokesman said a fourth missile was launched from north Iraq southwards but did not enter Kuwaiti airspace.
"Two bright orange flashes were seen over Kuwait as the engaging Patriot missile destroyed the Iraqi tactical ballistic missile. It is unknown at this time what type of munitions the Iraqi missile was carrying," said a U.S. military statement, released after the first missile was destroyed.
It added it was not clear what sort of missile had been fired by the Iraqis.
Air raid sirens sounded in Kuwait city several times during the day and night, sending some people scurrying into bunkers, donning gas masks and waiting for the all clear.
Others ignored the drill that has become routine in Iraq's southern neighbour since U.S. and British forces attacked Iraq last week.
Kuwait defence ministry spokesman Colonel Youssef al-Mulla told Reuters that the two missiles had been brought down by a U.S. Patriot battery at 0104 local time (2204 GMT Sunday) and the second at 1342 local time.
At 1640, sirens sounded again as a missile was launched from north Iraq southwards. Al-Mulla said it did not enter Kuwaiti territory. He was unable to say whether it landed in southern Iraq or was destroyed.
Minutes later, another missile was launched, and landed in an uninhabited area in the Kuwait desert, he said.
Several missiles have been fired at Kuwait since the war began last Thursday, and air raid sirens have frequently sounded in Kuwait City.
Kuwaiti officials have said some of the missiles were banned Scud missiles. But U.S. and British officials say they did not think the missiles were Scuds.
If that were the case, we couldn't shoot them down since patriots use radar...
Mike
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.