More U.S. paratroopers land in northern Iraq:

NEAR KARBALA, Iraq - More U.S. paratroopers parachuted into northern Iraq Thursday, and British and U.S. warplanes flew more than 600 bombing missions, blasting Iraqi light armor ahead of U.S.-led troops advancing toward Baghdad.

To the south, British forces destroyed 14 Iraqi tanks trying to break out of Basra on Thursday morning. In south-central Iraq, between the towns of Najaf and An Nasiriyah, U.S. forces faced continued opposition and harassment from Iraqi troops and militiamen.

U.S. officials said 25 Marines were wounded or missing after a battle at an undisclosed location.

In Baghdad, Iraqi military spokesman Gen. Hazem al-Rawi said Republican Guards killed "huge numbers of the enemy" and destroyed six armored vehicles in battles in southern Iraq.

"I can confirm that the enemy was not able to achieve the minimum of its objectives," he said.

In an interview with Abu Dhabi Television Thursday, Iraqi Information Minister Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf said some American troops had been captured near Najaf, less than 161 kilometers (100 miles) from Baghdad, and would be displayed "at the proper time."