Iraq began to fire missiles to the north neighboring country
( 2003-03-23 00:45 ) (1 )

By Guo Aibing from Katar

Kuwait: Siren were echoing through the whole country Saturday as Iraq began to fire missiles to the neighboring country in the north in retaliation for an US-led attack.

Diplomatic sources, who declined to be named, told China Daily that Iraq might have fired six missiles to the Kuwait's northern region, two of them were stopped by Patriot Missiles from US military forces, while the rest four hit the desert area.

``The detailed number of the missiles are still not confirmed by military sources, but I am sure at least two missiles had landed somewhere in Kuwait,'' the diplomat said.

JE refused to comment on whether Iraq had equipped the missiles with chemical or biological weapons, just saying it is very likely in such missile attacks.

The press center of US army refused to confirm the missile attack. They said the central commanding office in Qatar would probably reveal the details later.

Difference from the over-cautions of press officials, US soldiers stationed in the boarder region admitted they had heard explosions at least twice since president Bush's ultimatum concluded early Saturday morning.

``We did hear explosion somewhere in the north region, but we do not know if was missiles,'' A US soldier, giving his name as Brown, told china Daily.

He said all the soldiers nearby were ordered to wear gas mask and protection suits soon afterwards.

In about 11 o'clock yesterday morning, China Daily witnessed an emergency in the boarder area as another explosion heard just miles from the boarder checkpoint.

US and British soldiers rushed to their vehicles after receiving a warning about a possible attack from chemical and biological missiles.

Soldiers equipped gas masks and airtight suits within a few minutes, and than warned reporters in the spot to wear gas mask and retreat.

Two huge trucks carrying liquid materials appeared soon after the attack warning, preparing to wash soldiers if their skin was infected with any chemical material.

A British soldier, who gave his name as Rebert, said their commanders ordered them to wear such equipment, since no one knows which missile might take chemical weapons.

Inside Kuwait City, hotels and big markets began to seal their buildings in preparation towards a possible chemical attack.

Some hotels asked customers who were outside the building if such attacks happen to wash their bodies for at least two minutes, before allowing entering the safe areas.

Government-sponsored television stations stopped scheduled programs when siren was sound, and warn people to escape to the nearby basement shelters.

Kuwait International airport still open Saturday though reports said the airport would be shut down if war breaks out.

Police and security forces in the airport guided thousands of passengers to evacuate into basement shelters with high efficiency when siren was sound.