US, Iraqi forces trade artillery fire as Americans target Sharat

CENTRAL IRAQ (AFP) Mar 31, 2003
US marines and Iraqi forces traded artillery fire overnight as Americans launched bombing strikes on the central Iraqi town of Sharat, a military spokesman said Monday.

Lieutenant Colonel Pete Owen said the Iraqis had moved a battery of medium range artillery guns within range of US lines south of al-Kut.

"They fired one round out of each tube and we were able to locate them and shot back," he said.

He said a survey of the area had been launched to assess the damage and that eight rounds had landed within 300 metres (1,000 feet) of US marines, forcing them to leap from their cots into fox holes.

The exchange was launched as the US began a bombing raids on Sharat, the scene of fierce fighting between marines and Iraqi paramilitary troops over the past week.

Owen said the bombing began at 0100 GMT Thursday but further information was not immediately available.

WAR.WIRE