US warplanes resume strikes within Iraq

BAGHDAD - United States warplanes bombed targets in Iraq yesterday in air strikes that resumed last week for the first time in more than six months after the shooting down of three American helicopters.

The renewed air strikes came as Iraq's interim foreign minister promised that local leaders would meet a December deadline for setting out a path towards self-rule.

The pledge by Hoshiyar Zebari came amid frustration expressed by occupation officials that Iraqi politicians have not moved more quickly to draw up plans for taking over power.

In the new air strikes, F-16 fighter-bombers dropped three 227kg bombs near Fallujah, in the area west of Baghdad where 16 American soldiers were killed when a US Chinook helicopter was downed a week ago.

The air strikes followed attacks on US troops.

Warplanes dropped bombs on suspected guerrilla hideouts on Saturday around Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit.

- REUTERS

Herald Feature: Iraq