Coalition forces to step up attacks

Coalition forces today announced plans to step up attacks on Iraq, a senior official at US Central Command said.

Forecasts indicate “pretty good weather” over the next three days, he said. “I think you will certainly see us increase our activity in the coming hours and days given the clearing weather.”

The official also confirmed that coalition forces have suffered “multiple casualties” in “multiple incidents” but refused to give specifics on numbers or locations.

The worst sandstorm in decades, with winds whipping through at 50mph and more, began on Tuesday and stalled thousands of soldiers heading for Baghdad.

In the Iraqi capital, residents said the sandstorm was the worst in memory, and they woke up today to find everything from cars to dining tables, windows and books under a coat of fine yellow desert sand.