Apparently furious at Iraqi war of words through its TV, US and British forces used missiles and air strikes to hit Iraqi television, a key telecommunications site and Baghdad satellite communications before sunrise on Wednesday, a US defence official said.
Iraqi TV was frequently airing pictures of US PoWs, downed helicopters and the rhetoric and speeches of its leaders as part of anti-coalition propaganda, and was being widely seen across the world.
"Not long before daybreak, the coalition struck Iraq's main television station, as well as a key telecommunications vault and Baghdad satellite communications, damaging the regime's command and control capability," said the official.
He said Tomahawk land-delivered missiles and air delivered ordnance were used in the attack. Battle damage assessment was continuing, said the official.