MoD Information

Iraq Fires on Troops at Border

Thu, March 20, 2003

Source: Ananova News

A suspected gas attack sparked a full scale chemical weapons emergency among British soldiers massing on the Iraqi border....UPDATE

A suspected gas attack sparked a full scale chemical weapons emergency among British soldiers massing on the Iraqi border. More than 20,000 ground troops donned gas masks and ran for their tanks and shelters as two loud explosions sparked Doomsday alert along the frontline.

It came after two three-tonne, medium range Iraqi missiles struck the border area with northern Kuwait.

Military sources said investigations would focus on whether the missiles carried chemical or conventional warheads, what they were targeting and whether they were downed by the Patriot missile defence system.

British Army spokesman, Major Sean Tully said: "This was not a drill - this was a full scale alert.

"Once the alarms were sounded, every single British soldier in the area would have reacted as fast as possible, putting on masks and chemical suits.

"It is a sign that we recognise the threat and are ready to deal with it. There may be many more alerts in the hours to come."

UPDATE:

Coalition forces have come under attack from Iraqi missiles hours after George Bush ordered the start of air strikes against Saddam Hussein.

Up to four missiles, including at least one Scud, were launched into northern Kuwait but failed to hit their targets.

Journalists at Camp Coyote - home to thousands of British soldiers in Kuwait - reported hearing a thunderous explosion shortly before 7.40am British time and scrambled with soldiers to put on gas masks.

Details of the type, number of missiles and their intended targets were unclear but no injuries were reported.

A military source at US Central Command in Qatar said: "Three missiles have been fired into Kuwait.

"Two are believed to be Seersucker anti-ship missiles and one is believed to be a Scud.

"The Scud was destroyed by a Patriot missile battery and the debris is currently being examined. There are no reports of any injuries."

Other reports suggested four missiles, all Scuds, were fired leading to air raid sirens being sounded in Kuwait City.

A spokesman for the Kuwaiti military said one missile was intercepted, and the rest fell in northern Kuwait and in Kuwait Bay