March 4, 2003
Release Number: 03-03-04


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


COALITION FORCES DROP LEAFLETS IN SOUTHERN IRAQ

SOUTHWEST ASIA – Coalition aircraft dropped 420,000 informational leaflets over southern Iraq today.

Coalition aircraft dropped the leaflets between 5:00 and 8:45 p.m. EST over the cities of Al Amarah, Az Zubayr, Abu Hayyah, Al Uthaylat, Qalat Salih and Al Kut, all of which are south of Baghdad.

The Coalition dropped two types of leaflets today. One of the leaflets provided information about radio frequencies on which Coalition forces are broadcasting information about several topics, including United Nations Security Council Resolution 1441, United Nations weapons inspectors in Iraq and Iraqi President Saddam Hussein’s reign. The other leaflet encouraged Iraqi troops not to risk their lives or the lives of fellow Iraqi troops. “Leave now and go home,” the second leaflet said. “Watch your children learn, grow and prosper.”

By dropping leaflets in Iraq, the Coalition hopes to protect Iraqi lives and deter Iraqi aggression by providing relevant, factual information to both Iraqi civilians and Iraqi military troops.

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