"We are flying over southern Iraq. This evening we are targeting systems which are a threat to our forces," the spokeswoman told AFP.

Asked if it was the beginning of a war on Iraq, she would not comment, but described the patrols as "standard no-fly zone activity".

The spokeswoman gave no further details, and would not elaborate on whether she was referring to a threat to allied ground or air forces.

The Pentagon confirmed simultaneously that US warplanes had conducted multiple strikes in southern Iraq on Wednesday, striking anti-aircraft artillery, air defenses and surface-to-surface missile systems.

WAR.WIRE