March 8, 2003
Release Number: 03-03-09


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


COALITION FORCES DROP LEAFLETS IN SOUTHERN IRAQ

SOUTHWEST ASIA – Coalition aircraft dropped 720,000 informational leaflets in Iraq today.

Coalition aircraft dropped the leaflets over several locations south of Baghdad. Most drop-sites today were military-related and included a military camp near Az Zubayr, approximately 230 miles southeast of Baghdad; a military barracks near Al Basrah, approximately 240 miles southeast of Baghdad; a headquarters building near Al Amarah, approximately 165 miles southeast of Baghdad; and military installation site on the Al Faw peninsula, approximately 290 miles southeast of Baghdad.

The Coalition dropped five versions of leaflets. Three of the leaflet types 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 regime. One type of leaflet encouraged Iraqi troops to not risk their lives against Coalition forces, and the other leaflet warned Iraqi forces not to use weapons of mass destruction.

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 military troops.

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