41.   On Monday, coalition warplanes fired on the same site after being threatened by ground fire from Iraqi air defenses.

42.   Over the weekend, the fire weakened, becoming a smoldering ground fire with some isolated torching of juniper stands.

43.   Rebel commanders dismissed the danger posed by the government offensive, saying the aircraft were flying too high for fear of being hit by ground fire.

44.   Russian helicopter gunships circled the city, but stayed well out of range of ground fire.

45.   Some ground fire was heard, but it was unclear if this was anti-aircraft or support fire.

46.   The Apaches completed their missions and none was shot down, but an undetermined number sustained enough damage from ground fire to require repairs, the officials said.

47.   The agency said at least one missile was hit by ground fire and there were no details about any targets hit there.

48.   The cause remains under investigation, though Marines said there was no sign of hostile ground fire.

49.   There were no Americans aboard the U.S. State Department helicopter when it was hit by ground fire last week.

50.   Three armored personnel carriers and one tank were destroyed and three military helicopters were damaged by ground fire, the military said.