Tanks, aircraft attack targets

US and Iraqi forces battled in the southern Iraqi port town of Umm Qasr yesterday, with tanks and aircraft attacking targets where at least 120 Iraqi Republican Guards were reported to be dug in.

After two air strikes by British Harrier jets, each dropping one 500-pound bomb, some Iraqis could be seen waving white flags and surrendering.

A US commander on the spot said: “It made sense for us to do this. Rather than send men in there, we’re just going to destroy it.”