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Troops making 'steady progress' in Iraq

10 downing Street

March 21, 2003

British forces were heavily engaged in sea, land and air operations overnight and steady progress is being made, Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon has told the House of Commons. vHe confirmed that a helicopter carrying British and US personnel crashed in Kuwait, and paid tribute to those who lost their lives. The incident was not the result of enemy action, and the cause is being investigated.

The objectives remain the removal of the Iraqi regime and its weapons of mass destruction, Mr Hoon said, adding that every precaution will be taken to minimise the risk of civilian casualties.

Read the Defence Secretary's statement in full below:

With permission, Mr Speaker, I would like to make a statement about military action in Iraq. British forces have been heavily engaged in maritime, land and air operations overnight. These operations are continuing, and I know the House will understand why I cannot give all of the details.

Before I set out what has been happening, I regret that I have to confirm that a United States CH-46 helicopter carrying British and United States personnel crashed in Kuwait, close to the border with Iraq. I can also confirm there were a number of fatalities. A recovery team is at the site of the crash. Our urgent priority is to confirm the identities of those who died and notify the next of kin at the earliest opportunity. The cause of the incident is being investigated, but I can assure the House that it was not the result of enemy action. I recognise that this will be of little comfort to the families of those killed. I hope the House will understand that we will not issue further details until next of kin have been informed.

That helicopter was engaged in an operation led by 3 Commando Brigade on the Al Faw peninsula in south-eastern Iraq. At approximately 2000 hours British time yesterday, 40 Commando began an assault on the southern tip of the peninsula, using support helicopters from Kuwait and from the Amphibious Task Group in the North Arabian Gulf. The tip of the peninsula was secured as planned. Some resistance, including the use of mortars and artillery, has been encountered and there was a small-scale engagement with individual Iraqi troops resulting in four known Iraqi fatalities. This engagement is continuing.

Importantly, most of the oil infrastructure on the peninsula has been secured intact. I can confirm, however, reports that the Iraqi regime has set fire to a number of oil wells. Our latest information is that around 30 oil wells are alight, among hundreds in southern Iraq. A primary aim of our current operations is to prevent further opportunities for such vandalism, and to enable remedial action to be taken as soon as is practical. The security of Iraq's oil infrastructure will, of course, be a key factor in enabling the Iraqi people to rebuild their country.

At 0430 hours this morning, coalition ground forces including elements under the command of 3 Commando Brigade, commenced an operation to seize the port of Umm Qasr and a nearby naval base. In addition, this morning, 42 Commando deployed by British aircraft to a blocking position north of the Al Faw. Throughout this operation, Royal Navy ships including HMS CHATHAM and MARLBOROUGH provided naval gun-fire support to 3 Commando Brigade. Umm Qasr, which is roughly equivalent in size to Southampton, will be vital to the economic future of southern Iraq, and Royal Navy mine countermeasures vessels are on stand-by to conduct mine clearance operations to provide a secure shipping route into the port. Although action is continuing, we expect Umm Qasr to be fully under coalition control shortly.

In addition to the Al Faw operation, coalition land operations across the Kuwai-Iraq border are well underway. Preparatory action began yesterday afternoon using fixed-wing and rotary air forces and artillery. At 1715 hours yesterday, the 5th US Regimental Combat Team launched operations to secure the South Rumaila oilfield and gas and oil platforms in southern Iraq.

At 0300 hours this morning, the main land offensive began with coalition forces advancing across the Kuwait-Iraq border. The two battle-groups of 7th Armoured Brigade are providing flank protection for this assault. We understand that stiff resistance has been encountered, and that 7th Armoured Brigade has engaged in contact with Iraqi forces.

Turning now to air operations, at 1800 hours yesterday evening 50 Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles were launched at targets in Baghdad closely associated with the Iraqi regime. A number of the missiles were launched from Royal Navy submarines, all of which hit their targets. A large number of RAF aircraft, including combat and support aircraft, have been active during the past 24 hours, including Tornado GR4s using Enhanced Paveway 2 missiles.

I am now able to give further details on yesterday's attack by Iraqi forces. Between 0720 and 1510 hours yesterday, Iraq launched at least five missiles of various types into Kuwait in the vicinity of coalition forces. Three landed and two were intercepted by Patriot missiles. There were no injuries. Troops put on their NBC equipment as a precautionary measure.

Mr Speaker, it is now less than 24 hours since these operations were launched. They are making steady progress. Our objectives remain as set out in the document placed in the Library of the House yesterday. They are to remove the Iraqi regime and its weapons of mass destruction. We have no quarrel with the Iraqi people and will continue to take every precaution to minimise the risk of civilian casualties.

But as the helicopter crash has shown, our own people are always at risk in a military operation. I pay tribute to the courage of those who tragically lost their lives last night. Our thoughts are with their families, and we hope for the safe return of all their colleagues.