2 Iran Gunboats Sunk, Iraq Claims
The Iraqi government Sunday reported the sinking of two Iranian gunboats in a naval engagement near the Iraqi deep-sea platform of Al Omayy in the northern Persian Gulf.
Baghdad’s daily military communique said the engagement took place Saturday night, when 11 Iranian gunboats tried to attack Al Omayy. There was no immediate comment in Tehran.
Iraq has reported almost daily Iranian attempts to attack the platform over the past week.
The unused platform is one of two built for tankers at the mouth of the disputed Shatt al Arab waterway--the outlet for 85% of Iraq’s oil exports before the start of the gulf war in 1980.
The Iraqi communique indicated a continuing lull in air and ground operations, reporting one Iranian killed and nine positions demolished along the 720-mile war front.
More to Read
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
