IRAQ: A SABOTAGE BLAST DAMAGED AN OIL PIPELINE AT HADITHA AS U.S. MILITARY SEAL OFF HIGHWAY LEADING TO FALLUJA AFTER A U.S. CONVOY HITS A LANDMINE.

Record ID: 344814

  • Title: IRAQ: A SABOTAGE BLAST DAMAGED AN OIL PIPELINE AT HADITHA AS U.S. MILITARY SEAL OFF HIGHWAY LEADING TO FALLUJA AFTER A U.S. CONVOY HITS A LANDMINE.
  • Date: 16th October 2003
  • Summary: (W5) HADITHA, IRAQ, (OCTOBER, 16, 2003) (REUTERS) 1. WS: SMOKE AND THICK BLACK CLOUDS. 0.11 2. VARIOUS: : OIL ON FIRE ON THE WATER. (3 SHOTS) 0.43 3. WS/PAN: PEOPLE WATCHING FIRE, SMOKE AND THICK BLACK CLOUDS. 0.50 (W5) FALLUJA, IRAQ (OCTOBER 16, 2003) (REUTERS) 4. LV: OF U.S. VEHICLES ON THE HIGHWAY WHERE THE ATTACK HAPPENED. 0.56 5. WS: A U.S. TANK LURKING UNDER THE HIGHWAY. 1.03 6. LV: U.S. SOLDIERS CHECKING THE AREA. 1.08 7. LV: U.S. TANKS LURKING UNDER THE HIGHWAY. 1.14 8. VARIOUS: OF U.S. SEALING OFF THE ROAD TO FALLUJA WITH TANKS AND TURNING LORRIES BACK. (4 SHOTS) 1.36 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 31st October 2003 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: HADITHA, IRAQ
  • Country: Iraq
  • Reuters ID: LVABS0LBWDI2X3O3IUKH96FXTNFC
  • Story Text: A sabotage blast damaged an oil pipeline in
    Iraq as U.S. military sealed off a highway leading to Falluja
    after a U.S. convoy hit a landmine.




    A sabotage blast hit an oil pipeline in the western
    city of Haditha early on Thursday (October 16) an oil
    ministry source said.

    It caused a blaze in part of the oil pipeline that
    carries crude oil from the northern Kirkuk fields to a
    refinery and power plant in Baghdad, forcing engineers to
    divert crude from the country's southern fields and cut
    exports.

    A thick smoke and heavy black cloud covered the area
    and nearby villages of Haditha city which is part of the
    so-called Sunni Triangle, the main scene of attacks on the
    U.S. occupying forces.

    There was no reports yet on the scale of the damage
    sustained to the pipeline or the cause of the attack.

    Revenues from steady exports are vital for Iraq as it
    rebuilds after war, years of crippling economic sanctions
    and economic mismanagement under Saddam Hussein, who was
    toppled by a U.S.-led invasion in April.

    Since then oil pipelines have been the biggest economic
    casualty of a sabotage campaign the U.S.-led administration
    blames on remnants of Saddam's Baath party.

    Meanwhile, U.S. forces sealed off highway leading to
    the restive city of Falluja after a U.S. convoy struck a
    landmine in the area 65km west of Baghdad, witnesses said.

    They said one U.S. truck was damaged in the explosion,
    which also caused damage to the protective fence of the
    road. There was no reports of any causalities.

    The U.S. military then took position on the highway as
    U.S. soldiers manned part of the highway.

    Falluja is one of the most dangerous cities in the
    so-called Sunni Triangle to the north-west of Baghdad,
    where support for ousted leader Saddam Hussein is the
    strongest. It has been the scene of stiff resistance for
    U.S. troops.



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