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

"We have been doing this for the last ten years. It's the same as we've been doing, but obviously the time is perhaps more relevant."

Asked if it was the beginning of a US-led war on Iraq, the spokeswoman 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.

British and US aircraft have enforced "no-fly" zones in both northern and southern Iraq since the aftermath of the 1991 Gulf war.

Iraq does not recognize the air exclusion zones, which are not sanctioned by any UN resolution.

WAR.WIRE