Iraq defense means intercept US, British planes over southern Iraq

The Iraqi defense means on Monday intercepted American and British planes while flying over southern Iraq and forced them to flee away. An Iraqi military spokesman said that several American and British formations backed by AWACS planes carried out 16 armed air sorties over Artwai, al-Jalabeyah, al-Deir, al Basra, al-Lousof, al-Nasereyah, al-Salman, al-Qarna and al-Samawah areas in southern Iraq.