The Hindu : International : `Iraqi civilian toll could cross 11,000'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Sep 09, 2004

International

International

`Iraqi civilian toll could cross 11,000'

By Atul Aneja

MANAMA, SEPT. 8. The number of Iraqi civilians killed since the U.S. invasion of Iraq in March 2003 could cross 11,000, said a group called Iraq Body Count (IBC). The official figures are not available.

Fallujah bombed

A day after seven U.S. troops were killed on the outskirts of Fallujah, the U.S. planes bombed the industrial zone of the city, forcing many residents to leave under fire, Al-Jazeera television reported.

Ambulances or medical teams could not reach the spot during the bombardment.

The U.S. military said the raids, backed by an artillery barrage, were in retaliation to the killings of the Marines. "We are responding after being under fire. We are using aircraft and artillery fire," said the U.S. military.

It said an estimated 100 "enemy fighters" were killed in the attacks. Eyewitnesses said a large number of civilians were killed. The U.S. warplanes had raided Fallujah on September 1, triggering mass demonstrations.

Fearing large casualties, the U.S. forces prefer air raids to fielding ground troops to combat the Iraqi resistance.

Officials have indicated that they are unlikely to alter their tactics till an Iraqi force was raised.

Spate of kidnappings

The spate of kidnappings in Iraq continues with the abduction of the U.S.-appointed Deputy Governor of the Anbar province from his house in Fallujah today.

There was no word yet on the fate of the two Italian aid workers — Simona Torretta and Simona Pari — who were taken hostage in Baghdad on Tuesday.

Their captors killed two Italians who had been kidnapped earlier.

Italy has about 2,700 troops in Iraq, making it the third-largest contributor of troops supporting the U.S.-led occupation.

The 48-hour deadline for the payment of $5-million ransom for the release of the two abducted French journalists expired later today.

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