Fred, I know you'll feel free to delete this if it's inappropriate. Anti-American writer Robert Fisk was given some alleged bits of a missile that hit a market the other day, killing 62 civilians at last report.
It reads: 30003-704ASB 7492. The letter "B" is scratched and could be an "H". This is believed to be the serial number. It is followed by a further code which arms manufacturers usually refer to as the weapon's "Lot" number. It reads: MFR 96214 09.
A couple of Tim Blair's readers have weighed in with information which supports the idea that it was a US/UK missile. They think it's a launcher for HARM missiles. Do knowledgeable Rantburg readers have anything to add? My question is whether the missile launcher leaves with the missile, or stays with the plane.
This is the second market in a Shia neighborhood which has been hit in the past couple days, which seems awful suspicious to me. Especially seeing as how Saddam has "replaced" the guy in charge of air defense, as was reported here yesterday. |