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US tank explodes
19/10/2003 13:46 - (SA)
Baghdad - A US vehicle exploded when assailants attacked a convoy apparently transporting weapons and ammunition in the flashpoint Iraqi city of Fallujah on Sunday, witnesses said.
None of the occupants were seen emerging from the vehicle as it burst into flames, according to Ahmed Suheil, 40, and Juma Abbas, 35, who both said they witnessed the attack.
A US military spokesman said he had no immediate confirmation of the incident in the city 50km west of Baghdad.
In the aftermath of the blast, AFP photographer Patrick Baz and a Reuters cameraman were detained by Iraqi police who said they were acting on orders from US military forces.
Witnesses said the convoy came under rocket-propelled grenade fire. Pieces of rockets were later seen on the ground.
Some of the witnesses said a detonation, apparently from an explosive device, also was heard.
US troops left immediately after the attack but returned a little later and opened fire, wounding two Iraqis, the witnesses said.
American forces in armoured vehicles took position at the scene. "We are here to secure the area," a US officer said, declining to give details of the attack.
A number of people at the scene chanted slogans in support of ousted president Saddam Hussein.
"This is a first reaction after (Osama) bin Laden's declaration," said Suheil.
In two "messages" to the Iraqi and American people aired by Al-Jazeera television Saturday, a speaker purporting to be the al-Qaeda leader threatened to send suicide bombers to the United States and to attack any forces joining the coalition in Iraq.
- AFP
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