An attack at the headquarters of the Spanish forces in al-Najaf

News reports in al-Najaf said that the Spanish base in the city was exposed to violent bombardment followed by confrontations between the Spanish forces and unidentified gunmen.

The attackers fired five mortars at the central base of the Spanish, Salvador and American forces and then followed by armed clashes that lasted for more than 15 minutes and later the American F-16 planes flew over the area of the attack. Maj. Keven from Salvador base refused to give details on the attack or the volume of losses in the occupation lines.

There are, however, three southern, central and southern bases and the occupation forces ban journalists accession to these bases and guard their surrounding. The forces also ban movement in the area adjoining it during night times.

The attack came few hours after the announcement made by the Spanish prime minister Jose Thabateiro to withdraw his forces from Iraq unless it has a cover by the international resolutions. Thabateiro said in his first speech before the parliament that his government is committed to international cooperation to fighting terrorism but will concentrate more on what he called preventive diplomacy.