"The disarmament of Iraq has begun." That quote came from Ari Fleischer last night at around
9:45 p.m. ET—an official announcement that the United States, and the "Coalition of the Willing" have begun attacks on Iraq. Strategic targets were hit as intelligence sources earlier in the evening told the White House that they believed there was substantial evidence that Iraqi leaders—and Saddam Hussein—were believed to be in a specific area of Baghdad. The targets in Baghdad were hit around 9:30 p.m. ET (5:30 a.m. Baghdad Time).
At exactly 10:15 p.m. last night, President Bush addressed the nation, stating that "American and coalition forces are in the early stages of military operations to disarm Iraq, to free its people and to defend the world from grave danger." (Read the Full Transcript)
There has not been any confirmation that Saddam Hussein, or any Iraqi leaders have been injured, captured, or killed. In fact, shortly after the attack began, Iraqi television broadcast a taped message, allegedly from Saddam Hussein, where, in a translated script from CNN.com, the Iraqi leader called the attack a "criminal" act and that Iraqis "will confront the invaders and we will get them to, God willing, to the limit where they will lose their patience."
Sirens sounded, and shortly thereafter, anti-aircraft missiles were seen exploding above the skies in Baghdad as the attack commenced. In retaliation, Iraq launched Al Samoud 2 missiles at Kuwait. Various reports indicate that a total of four Al Samoud 2s were seen—two were reportedly shot down by Patriot missiles and two others struck the ground in unpopulated areas. No injuries were reported.
Sources: CNN.com, FoxNews.com |
