Erin's Playhouse 2

British forces go into battle

British forces have been taking part in the early stages of the new Gulf War against Saddam Hussein.

RAF Tornados flew a series of missions over Iraq on Thursday, dropping laser-guided bombs on military targets.

In Kuwait British Paras exchanged fire with Iraqi soldiers during a "cross border skirmish", which took place before the US-led ground invasion began.

Prime Minister Tony Blair is to make a televised address to the nation on Thursday night, once "UK forces are substantially engaged", Downing Street has confirmed.

Queen's message to troops

The Queen has sent a message of support to troops in the Gulf, while a series of visits to military bases in the UK by members of the Royal Family has been announced.

Anti-war protests have taken place in towns and cities across the UK and environmental group Greenpeace said reports of oil well fires in Iraq showed "the folly of going to war".

Fighter planes

The British Tornado GR4s first went into action in the early hours of Thursday morning, supporting the US Stealth bombers as they attacked Baghdad in an attempt to target Iraqi leaders.

On that occasion the fighter planes were not required to use their weaponry.

But a few hours later a second wave of planes took off from the base at Ali Al Salem in northern Kuwait and dropped their Paveway bombs on unknown targets inside Iraq.

Whether the precision bombers' mission was a success was not immediately confirmed.

Further missions are planned as part of what the British command are calling Operation Telic, and it is thought the planes could take place in an all-out US-led air, sea and land assault.

'Static location'

The Ali Al Salem base is a target for Iraqi missile attacks, as it is close to the border.

Group Captain Simon Dobb said: "We are a static location with a large group of people involved in an offensive against Iraq."

All I could tell them was to look after themselves and say that I would see them soon.
Soldiers' relative William Ralph

Chemical and biological alerts were triggered among British forces when Iraq reportedly fired three missiles - now believed to be conventional weapons - into northern Kuwait.

British fighter planes were sent to hunt and destroy the missile batteries used.

There were few details about the exchange of fire between Iraqi soldiers and members of 7 Para Royal Horse Artillery.

But it is thought none of the British soldiers - who specialise in helicopter "fast drops" into frontline positions - were hurt and there was no news of Iraqi casualties.

'Absolute ruthlessness'

The Prime Minister's televised address, which will last five minutes, was recorded in the White Room in Downing Street before Mr Blair left for the European Union Summit in Brussels.

Our government should not have been a party to this conflict which has only undermined the United Nations, our own democracy and the rule of law
Iqbal Sacranie, Muslim Council of Britain

In a Commons statement Mr Hoon warned MPs against suggestions that the military campaign would be over in a very short time.

He said: "We all certainly hope that offensive operations will be over quickly.

"But we should not underestimate the risks and difficulties we may face against a regime that is an embodiment of absolute ruthlessness with utter disregard for human life."

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