Iraq intercepts US, British warplanes

An Iraqi military spokesman stressed on Wednesday that Iraqi planes intercepted US and British planes in the "no-fly zones" in the southern part of Iraq and forced them to leave the area. The spokesman stated that US and British planes flew over the Iraqi provinces of Dhi Qar, Al Muthanna, Maysan, Al Basra and Al Qadisiyah. He added that the total number of armed sorties carried out by the US and British jets since December 17, 1998 until now reached 11,549.