Coalition forces move into Baghdad
Although Iraqi President Saddam Hussein’s Minister of Information Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf denies reports that coalition forces are in Baghdad, Pentagon officials say the troops have entered the capital city. Tuesday, A-10 Warthog jets dropped bombs over Baghdad.
Although Iraqi President Saddam Hussein’s Minister of Information Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf denies reports that coalition forces are in Baghdad, Pentagon officials say the troops have entered the capital city. Tuesday, A-10 Warthog jets dropped bombs over Baghdad. In the southeastern portion of the city, U.S. Marines found more abandoned chemical suits and masks as well as a box of atropine injectors.
Maj. Gen. Stanley McChrystal said Iraqi Republican Guards are either ignoring Hussein’s orders or are incapable of carrying them out. U.S. forces have, however, fought with the Special Republican Guard, he said. One such clash cut Iraq’s fleet of 800 tanks down to 19.
When U.S. Marines captured the al Rashid military prison outside Baghdad recently, they found bloodstained uniforms but no American captives. Two of the uniforms bore the names of soldiers known to be Iraqi prisoners of war.
Tuesday morning, American military fire killed three journalists from Reuters,Tele 5, a Spanish TV news program and Al-Jazeera in two incidents near Baghdad. U.S. officials deny that journalists were specifically targeted, but Al-Jazeera doesn’t agree.
U.S. military officials said it is possible that the Russian convoy that came under fire last weekend deviated from its planned evacuation route. The convoy’s change of direction possibly led it into a deadly firefight.
President George W. Bush said it is not yet known whether Hussein survived a strike on a building Monday where the Iraqi leader was suspected to be. The president said the United States plans to host a conference with Iraqi opposition leaders in mid-April to discuss an interim Iraqi government. A local sheik is already working with the British military to chart the country’s future. Also later this month, U.N. Secretary General Kofi Anna will travel to Athens to discuss the U.N.’s role in Iraq.
U.S. officials told CNN that CIA members and defense intelligence analysts will soon enter Iraq to investigate the disappearance of Capt. Scott Speicher, a Navy pilot shot down on the first day of the 1991 Persian Gulf War.
Compiled by Sarah Kite
