Geneva, Apr 03: A convoy carrying medical supplies will leave Kuwait tomorrow and try to enter the embattled southern Iraqi city of Basra for the first time, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said here. The two trucks will be carrying supplies and water containers for war wounded in hospitals in the city, the aid agency said in a statement issued at its headquarters today.
"It is the first time we have a convoy into Basra," ICRC spokeswoman Nada Doumani said.
The ICRC has received security guarantees from coalition forces and Iraqi forces in the city to cross the frontline there, she added.

The agency also reiterated a warning about the situation in cities around the advancing coalition frontline further north, including Nasi Riya, Najaf and Kerbala.
"After two weeks marked by heavy fighting, the ICRC remains extremely concerned by the situation of the civilian population in towns and rural areas close to the front lines, particularly south of Baghdad," it said.

ICRC also reported "acute needs" at al-Hilla surgical hospital, about 60 kilometres south of Baghdad.
Medical aid and help with water supplies was also reaching hospitals in and around Baghdad, ICRC said.
Bureau Report