Allied jets patrolling the southern no-fly zone over Iraq struck five communication relay sites today after Iraqi aircraft “violated” the zone, the US military said.

US warplanes bombed air defence radars in southern Iraq twice today in an escalating conflict over Anglo-American air patrols of no fly zones in the north and the south.

Allied planes bombed two military air defence sites in Iraq’s southern no-fly zone today in the third round of strikes in a week.

Allied warplanes today launched air strikes on Iraq’s no-fly zones for the third time in nine days.

British and American aircraft have attacked Iraqi air defence facilities again, defence officials said today.

British and US warplanes have bombed an anti-aircraft artillery base in southern Iraq after coming under artillery fire.

US and British warplanes have bombed an anti-aircraft site in southern Iraq after coming under fire in the area's no-fly zone.

Terrorist leader Osama bin Laden was in contact with the Iraqi Government just days before the US terror strikes, it has been claimed.