Basra - US reports of bombing civilians

The March 30th Air Force Link March 30th Air Power summary gives a small clue to the use of air power over Basra...

"In Iraq, an Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon and a Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet dropped guided bomb unit-38s in order to destroy an enemy mortar team in a school court yard, a machine gun emplacement and an enemy structure engaging friendly forces in Basra. A JTAC reported the success of the missions. "

http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123092498

The March 31st report showed that the tempo of air activity increased with ..."In total, coalition aircraft flew 55 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom" and report

"In Iraq, an Air Force MQ-1 Predator dropped a hellfire missile in order to destroy an enemy road block in Basra. The success of the mission was declared by a JTAC.

A British GR-4 Tornado performed a show of force in order to deter enemy activities in Baqubah. A JTAC reported the success of the mission. "

(CBS/AP) reported on 29th March (with video) - "Anti-American Shiite militia leader Muqtada al-Sadr ordered his followers Saturday to defy government orders to surrender their weapons, as U.S. jets struck Shiite extremists near Basra to bolster a faltering Iraqi offensive against gunmen in the city. "

"The U.S. military says 16 enemy fighters have been killed in airstrikes supporting Iraqi troops during clashes with Shiite militiamen in Basra. Military spokesman Maj. Brad Leighton says an AC-130 gunship strafed heavily armed militants attacking Iraqi forces from three rooftops in the southern city.

Iraqi police earlier claimed eight civilians, including two women and a child, had been killed when a U.S. warplane destroyed a house early Saturday. But Leighton says U.S. special operations forces helped identify the militants before the airstrike.

British military spokesman Maj. Tom Holloway also says U.S. jets later dropped two precision-guided bombs on a suspected militia stronghold north of the city, but no casualties were reported. "

Sky News on Friday March 28th reported

"RAF jets have, been involved in aerial surveillance over insurgent positions and Iraqi helicopters have been able to refuel at Britain's Basra airport base.

Major Tom Holloway, British military spokesman in Basra said two bombing missions were carried out overnight at the request of the Iraqis.

He said rocket teams and militia troops were bombed."

Above photograph of results of Apache air attack in Bagdhad is from an Al Jazeera video available here.