U.S. FASCISTS LOSING BID TO TAKE IRAQ

Saddam International Airport, Baghdad -- [LSN: These reports were filed 11:00 EST. They are still centered around the remarks made before, but note that a Reuters correspondant has toured the area the US allegedly "controls" in South Central Baghdad, and has confirmed there are no US forces present.]
Al-Sahaf: 200-300 US soldiers killed during the battle to restore Saddam International Airport

Abu Dhabi TV, 11:00-11:30 Eastern Time - 4/5/03

In a live interview aired by Abu Dhabi TV, the Iraqi Press (Media) Minister, Muhammed Sa'id Al-Sahaf, said that the Iraqi forces are in total control of the Saddam International airport after a battle that took place last night.

He added that there were between 200 and 300 US soldiers, who were killed during the battle of restoring the airport. He also said that there would be photos and videos about the battle that would verify his statement. Moreover, he promised to take journalists to the airport when there life would not be in danger because of artillery bombardment from US forces which retreated to Abu Ghareeb area, 35 kilometers south of Baghdad.

Al-Sahaf also said that there is a battle going on right now in which Iraqi forces are attacking US forces in Abu Ghareeb, using all kinds of weapons, including land to land missiles. He denied that there are any US forces in Baghdad, describing such claims as propaganda and psychological warfare.

In answering a question about the non-traditional Iraqi attacks, he mentioned yesterday to restore the airport, he said that these were new methods of suicide attacks.

In answering a question about where is the Republican Guard, he said that it is there and ready for the final battle.

Al-Sahaf also said that the US-UK forces do not control any Iraqi city. There is resistance everywhere in Iraq.

Finally, in answering a question about the morale of Iraqis, he said that Iraqis are not aggressors. They are defending their country against a foreign invasion. Therefore, they enjoy a high morale and they are willing to sacrifice themselves for that purpose. He described the invaders as "Oulouj" the same word Muslims described Crusaders in the past when they came from overseas to fight Muslims in the Middle East for material gains. He also said that this word was used by Caliph Omar to describe Persians and Romans who were fighting against Muslims for material gains, not for a noble cause.

Iraq says everything okay in Baghdad, Iraqis restored Saddam International Airport

(Reuters), Khaleej Times, 5 April 2003

BAGHDAD - Iraq s information minister said on Saturday Baghdad was firmly under Iraqi control and denied U.S. reports that troops had reached the centre of the capital.

Minister Mohammed Saeed Al Sahaf also reiterated that Iraqi troops had defeated U.S. forces at Baghdad airport overnight. U.S. officers say they are in control.

Asked about U.S. reports that troops were in the heart of the capital, Sahaf told a news conference: You can go and visit those places. Nothing there, nothing there at all. There are Iraqi checkpoints. Everything is okay.

Reuters correspondent Khaled Yacoub Oweis said he toured central and southern Baghdad on Saturday but saw no U.S. troops.

I went to the southern outskirts, south east, south west, the presidential palaces, the main security buildings, correspondent Khaled Yacoub Oweis said after driving around the city. I saw no American troops.

Earlier, a U.S. military spokesman said their forces had thrust into the heart of Baghdad and said the push was more than a patrol that goes in and comes back out .

Sahaf said U.S. forces had bombed the capital and tried to make airborne landings to divert attention from a battle for Baghdad s airport.

He also said that Iraqi forces had shot down a plane over Iraq and destroyed seven tanks in the southern city of Basra in the past 24 hours.

Now the entire direction is in our favour and we will annihilate what is left of the forces that attacked the airport, Sahaf said.

The Republican Guard, the Fedayeen Saddam (paramilitaries) and other fighters have carried out new innovative operations, he said, adding that his ministry hoped to take journalists to the airport later on Saturday.

They are shooting from time to time their artillery on the ground of the airport, Sahaf added, speaking English.

(But) we have defeated them, crushed them in Saddam International Airport. We have pushed them outside the whole area. They couldn t establish a gain, we are surrounding them.