Sixteen Iraqi soldiers surrender, says Kuwait

7.30am

KUWAIT CITY - Sixteen Iraqi soldiers have given themselves up to US-led forces in northern Kuwait, according to the official Kuwait News Agency.

The agency attributed the news to a Kuwaiti military source, and gave no further details. No comment was immediately available from US or British military officials.

US warplanes dropped two million leaflets on southern Iraq today telling Iraqi troops exactly how to surrender "to avoid destruction" in the path of a looming invasion, the US military said.

With tens of thousands of American and British troops massed in Kuwait for an expected thrust into Iraq, US Navy jets also bombed military command sites in a southern Iraq "no-fly" zone in response to anti-aircraft fire, a US Navy admiral said.

Rear Admiral John Kelly said the latest of dozens of such recent strikes in no-fly zones of northern and southern Iraq were in response to attempts yesterday to shoot down US and British aircraft.

Nearly two million leaflets were also dropped on 29 military and civilian sites in the south, many warning Iraqi civilians to stay away from military targets and providing exact steps for Iraq's forces to surrender without a fight in any invasion, a US announcement from the region said.

The Pentagon wants Iraqi troops in the south to stand aside when US-led forces are expected to advance northward from Kuwait toward the oil fields around Basra en route to Baghdad.

"To avoid destruction," the leaflets advised, Iraqi soldiers should abandon their tanks and vehicles and gather in unarmed groups at least a half-mile (1km) away.

White flags must be displayed on vehicles and only officers may retain pistols or other sidearms, the notes advised. Artillery and air defence systems must be parked in travel formation and no shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles can be displayed.

"Do not approach coalition forces. Wait for further instructions," the leaflets said.

The leaflet drops brought to more than 17 million the number of leaflets scattered in recent months.

The United States and Britain have massed a total of some 280,000 troops around Iraq. US President George W. Bush has given Iraqi President Saddam Hussein until 1.15pm NZT today to leave the country or face war.

- REUTERS

Herald Feature: Iraq