Iraq accuses US and British planes of striking civilian targets

IRAQ yesterday accused US and British planes of striking civilian targets during an air raid southwest of Baghdad, and it claimed its anti-aircraft batteries chased off the attacking jets.

The US military said Thursday that American and British planes attacked an air defence command and control facility at a military airfield 240 miles southwest of Baghdad.

The US Central Command said the strike was a response to an Iraqi attack on allied aircraft patrolling the southern no-fly zone.