Iraq claims to have repelled US from airport

The Iraqi Information Ministry says Iraqi forces have expelled US troops from Baghdad international airport, which they captured…

The Iraqi Information Ministry says Iraqi forces have expelled US troops from Baghdad international airport, which they captured yesterday.

"Relying upon God, our brave people were able to expel the invaders from Saddam International Airport and they are now surrounded by our troops in a small place in Abu Ghraib," an Information Ministry official said today. Abu Ghraib is a district near to the airport.

"Our ground missiles and artillery hit at the enemy concentrations and the enemy suffered destruction of weapons and several fatalities and wounded soldiers. The battle will continue until they are expelled completely," he said.

Reuters reporter Luke Baker, reporting from south of the Iraqi capital, quoted U.S. military sources as saying their forces remained in control of the airport. But they said they had come under heavy artillery fire from north of the airport.