Iraq today accused US and British warplanes of attacking a civilian airport in the Gulf port of Basra.
"This terrorist act is a breach of international civilian aviation regulations," Iraq's state-owned satellite TV channel said.
The announcer said the attack targeted the airport's radar system and that the terminal building was also damaged. There were no reports of casualties.
A US military official in Washington confirmed there was a strike early today. It was not clear whether the airport had military as well as civilian facilities.
Exiled Iraqi military officers say US and British warplanes have recently intensified strikes in an apparent effort to undermine Iraq's air defences as a prelude to war.
On September 6th, American and British jets attacked and destroyed Iraq's biggest military compound, near the Jordanian border, according to the exiled officers.
AP