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Iraq: Iran launched 56 Scud missiles at military targets

Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Thursday, April 19, 2001

NICOSIA — Tension has escalated after Baghdad accused Iran of launching a barrage of Scud missiles toward military positions in Iraq. Iraqi sources said Iran fired 56 Scud missiles on Wednesday. Several Iraqis and a member of the Iranian opposition Mujahadeen Khalq were reported killed.

The regime of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein warned Iran of retaliation. "Iraq holds Iran fully responsible for human and material losses which were caused by the aggression," an Iraqi government spokesman said. "Iraq reserves its legitimate right to respond with suitable means at the suitable time."

Iran did not acknowledge the attack. But Teheran has accused Baghdad of supporting Mujahadeen attacks against the Islamic regime.

Iraqi and Mujahadeen sources said Iranian Scud missiles were fired toward opposition camps in the southern Basra region as well as towns east of Baghdad. The Doha-based Al Jazeera television showed the Scud missile debris being carried by Mujahadeen members.

The Iranian attack came hours after Saudi Interior Minister Nayef Bin Abdul Aziz met Iraqi opposition leaders in Teheran. The meeting with the Teheran-based Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq focused on Saudi support for the Iraqi opposition.

Earlier, Prince Nayef signed a security cooperation agreement with Iran. The agreement would include efforts to increase border surveillance and fight terrorism, organized crime and drug trafficking.

Before his departure from Teheran, the Saudi minister said Iran and Saudi Arabia have concluded that Gulf security should be guaranteed by states in the region. The United States and Britain have tens of thousands of troops in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

Thursday, April 19, 2001

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