350 civilians killed since start of war, says Iraq

IRAQ yesterday said more than 350 Iraqi civilians had been killed since the United States and Britain invaded one week ago, with women, children and elderly people making up most of the victims.

Health Minister Umeed Midhat Mubarak accused US and British forces of using cluster bombs and other weapons to frighten civilians and maximise damage.

“Most of these martyrs and victims are children, women and elderly people who cannot afford to protect themselves,” Mr Mubarak said, speaking in English at a Baghdad news conference. “So you see that those aggressors, the Americans and the English and their allies, are targeting civilians in Iraq, regardless of their age,” he added.