Following the Withdrawal of Iraqi Soldiers from the Oil-rich City of Kirkuk, Kurdish Armed Forces Headed Towards the City - 2003-03-29

Following the withdrawal of Iraqi soldiers from the oil-rich city of Kirkuk, Kurdish armed forces headed towards the city. Coalition forces heavily bombarded Baghdad today. Reports from Baghdad indicate that due to the severe bombings, 50 Iraqis were killed in the city's market today. Hospital officials and Arab media say this market was located in a residential area. In relation to these reports, American officials stated that they are investigating the incident. In the early hours of this morning, Saturday, after heavy bombings by Republican Guard units, loud explosions were also heard near the Iraqi Ministry of Information headquarters. New clashes occurred in southern Baghdad, and it was reported that 4 U.S. Marines went missing due to the fighting in the city of Nasiriyah. Additionally, it was reported that British military officials are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a British soldier due to friendly fire. In the north, Iraqi Kurdish leaders announced that following the withdrawal of Iraqi soldiers from the oil-rich city of Kirkuk, Kurdish armed forces headed towards that city. Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council approved the resumption of the oil-for-food program. UN officials also requested an emergency fund of $2 billion to provide humanitarian aid for the people of Iraq.