Low-grade war in Iraq intensifies as U.S., British planes make multiple strikes

WASHINGTON -- U.S. and British attacks on Iraq's air defenses have intensified in recent days, indicating the Pentagon's growing concern about the risk to pilots enforcing "no-fly" zones in the north and south.

On Tuesday, U.S. and British fighter jets attacked two military targets in southern Iraq, one day after an unmanned Air Force reconnaissance aircraft was lost near the southern city of Basra. The Pentagon has acknowledged losing the Predator drone but is not sure whether Iraq shot it down.

Tuesday's targets were facilities that provide command, control and communications support for Iraqi air defense fighter aircraft, one U.S. official said.

The Iraqi News Agency, offering the Iraqi government's first reaction to the raid on al-Ahrar in Nasiriya province, said two civilians were killed and accused U.S. and British pilots of aggression.