[ Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi’s approval of such bombings is only likely to exacerbate Iraqis’ fears about their new CIA-linked leader. –BL ]
July 18, 2004 | Associated Press
Baghdad, Iraq – A U-S airstrike authorized by Iraqi interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi has hit purported trenches and fighting positions in Fallujah. Those positions allegedly were used by foreign fighters linked to the al-Qaida network.
But the nature of the target is in dispute. Residents say it was civilian, not military. Fourteen people were killed and body parts were strewn across the area.
During a visit to Iraq, Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage said the Baghdad government was “fully informed” of the strike and agreed on the need to take action.
Since the Marines pulled back from Fallujah, the U-S military has been limited to using missiles attacks and airstrikes to hit potential targets there.
