Dubai: The US declared a war on Iraq with its aircraft and cruise missiles striking key military targets at dawn on March 20, barely 95 minutes after the 48-hour deadline given to President Saddam Hussein and his sons to leave the country or face military conflict expired.

Speaking as the US warplanes thundered in Baghdad, President George W Bush, in a brief televised address, said, "On my orders, coalition forces have begun striking selected targets of military importance to undermine Saddam Hussein's ability to wage war."

He said that Saddam Hussein has placed Iraqi troops and equipment in civilian areas in an attempt to use innocent men, women and children as shields for the Army.

There was no immediate word on the whereabouts of the Iraqi leader.

Reports said some 40 cruise missiles were fired against "a target of opportunity", and explosions were heard around South of Baghdad with air sirens screaming in the Iraqi capital. Baghdad was hit by three waves of air strikes as the day broke.

The US forces used B-1, B-2, B-52 and F-117 fighters and bombers in the strikes. The cruise missiles were launched from US ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf region as well as land bases on what is being described as "leadership targets" in a bid to "decapitate" the Iraqi leader, US networks reported.

So far no assessment of damage or casualty has been made.

PTI