Greg Kelly: Reporting from another Saddam Palace. Yesterday there was an extended firefight in a backyard. Every half hour an RPG or something comes in -- have to get used to that... everyone here is curious about the Saddam report

Anchor : Is Palace a perm. base?

Kelly: Not a base - they are hesitant to call it that. They don't think we'll be here more than a week. Feels fairly secure despite the firing. (Sound of blast behind him. BOOM.. Kelly acts nonchalent)

Brett Baier: heard interview with Col Perkins 1000 Iraqis killed taking palace. What tyopes of troops?
Kelly: 600 - 1000 -- he;s noit sure... saw lots of paramilitsry in white pickup trucks... shot them, had secondary explosions... can't tell if there is Fedayeen

Baier: How far away are you from location of Saddam hit?
Kelly: They heard about it from me. We don't know anything about it here. Checking out Medivac situation. More soldiers lost in this fighting 4 soldier losts ... 2 reporters that you heard about it .. from 2nd brigade... hopefully this guy will be ok.

5 AM News Flash

Tyrant and Sons Inside

See newspaper front page HERE

The military source said the site bombed yesterday is used by the Iraqi Intelligence Service (IIS), or Mukhabarat. It is the same al Mansur neighborhood where Saddam made a highly publicized street walk Friday, greeting jubilant supporters. The video was played on Iraqi TV. He also delivered a taped address on Iraqi TV, referring to a downed Apache helicopter.

The official said the tape's background views of Baghdad, and the intelligence source, provided information on Saddam's whereabouts.

Another U.S. official said intelligence agencies did not know last night who was killed in yesterday's bombing, which created a huge crater and destroyed the al Saa restaurant. A reporter on the scene said at least 14 persons were killed.

From Drudge Report:
The U.S.-led coalition bombed a Baghdad commercial block yesterday after receiving a tip that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was there, Bill Gertz and Rowan Scarborough are reporting for the WASHINGTON TIMES.

A U.S. military official tells the TIMES that the allies bombed the al Saa restaurant block at 3 p.m. Baghdad time yesterday on information from a 'sensitive intelligence source.'

The source said that Saddam and senior Ba'ath Party leaders were meeting with 30 intelligence officials in a facility behind or beneath the restaurant.

This will open Reuters feedroom display. Hit 'more' button three times to get to the Damage in Baghdad video.

Hattip to CB!

Monsor Ijaz of Fox: Middle East Intel service -- they had plans to leave -- they thought that this was the last night that they would be together. One guy who was supposed to be at the meeting sold them out and skipped out. There was no way that the two sons would be in the same room unless this was the last goodbye.

Rita Cosby: My intel sources are giving me some more details... They said that the Friday video was Saddam, and recent. Another detail... they have been able to track Saddam much more than we realized because of the Jaguar voice encryption system that uses Cell phone technology. Very complex -- told Saddam that it was impossible to break. But that was back in Iran/Iraq war. they've broken it and have been able to track his movements. Were close to getting him 4 or 5 times. Had 3 human sources plus the Jaguar source. I am told that they were able to listen in. That they were standing 4-6 meters away from one another. They were talking about plans for leaving Iraq.

The strike was made based on an intelligence report that one official said indicated that both Mr. Hussein and his two sons would be at the meeting. But other officials said they were cautious, wondering whether Mr. Hussein would allow the family to gather in one place.

Iraq Victorious Apart from "Technicalities"

CAIRO - Israel pushed America to wage war on Iraq and provided equipment and training to U.S. soldiers, Iraq's ambassador to the Arab League said Monday.

"Iraq will not be defeated" in the war, Ambassador Mohsen Khalil told a news conference in Egypt. "Iraq has now already achieved victory - apart from some technicalities."

Khalil said Israel forced America to attack Iraq because the Jewish state "regards Iraq as a major power in the Arab world."

Khalil accused Israel of manufacturing some rockets used by U.S. troops in southern Iraq and providing satellite cameras and night-vision goggles.

"Israeli units trained American soldiers for occupying Baghdad," he added.

Fox reports that, apparently, Special Op's forces have already viewed the bombed out residence, calling it "dust". They also had intelligence that although there was a bunker facility below, the ex-occupants were located in the upper unprotected structure......they even knew where people were seated.

Eyewitnesses said nine members of a family, including two children and five other people were found dead after a bomb destroyed four houses off Ramadan 14, a main commercial area in the Mansour district.

The missiles hit around 1100 GMT (2pm Iraq Time).

Up to 14 killed as missiles strike residential area

At least 14 Iraqi civilians were reportedly killed when missiles hit the Mansour residential neighbourhood in the Iraqi capital on Monday.

"Many civilians have been killed and homes destroyed - there is a lot of destruction in this area," Al Jazeera's correspondent in Baghdad, Tayseer Alouneh reported.

"Rescue teams are using bulldozers to try to find survivors under all this rubble but it does not look like there will be any."

"There was a plane... flying at low altitude... then it released a missile... I saw dead people," a Baghdad resident told Al Jazeera at the scene of the bombing.

The US military said it was investigating those reports.

"US Central Command is investigating allegations that missiles hit the al-Mansour area in Baghdad," it said in a statement, adding that no further information was available.--- Al Jazeera with agency inputs

Information being reported on Fox appears to be describing a very, very tight 'targetting cycle' with the following elements -

Multiple (at least three) Human Intelligence (HUMINT) sources reported location of Saddam and sons

Information flowed to Coalition C2 nodes (Qatar and CAOC)

Previously airborne B-1 Lancer was re-tasked on the fly

At least four 'Bunker Buster' PGM devices delivered within a few moments.

Fox reporter seems to be relating that his sources indicate this entire cycle of events took place within as little as an hour, maybe less.

Some have stated the goal is 10 minutes or less....still needs some work.

Fox is following up with reporting of a specific electronic signature capability that was used to track Saddam and his family...no comment on that.

::Update:: The piece of equipment mentioned on Fox is the Jaguar

From the MSNBC story now up:

A U.S. Air Force warplane dropped four enormous bombs Monday on a residential neighborhood where “extremely reliable” intelligence information indicated that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and his two sons were staying, senior administration officials told NBC News. The sources would not rule out the possibility that Saddam could have moved before the planes struck, but they said it was highly likely that he and his sons were dead if they were still there when the bombs hit...

Officials quickly called in Air Force jets to strike the location Monday with four GBU-31 Joint Direct Attack Munition weapons, the 2,000-pound smart bombs known as “bunker busters.” Diplomatic officials and officials at the Pentagon told NBC News that they were highly confident that they killed everyone at the meeting....

Additional details available from posts below; start at 9:30 and scroll up.

BASED ON an intelligence source on the ground in Baghdad, U.S. military officials were confident that Saddam and his sons, Uday and Qusay, were attending a meeting in the neighborhood, senior officials said. Officials quickly called in Air Force jets to strike the location Monday with four GBU-31 Joint Direct Attack Munition weapons, the 2,000-pound smart bombs known as “bunker busters.” Diplomatic officials and officials at the Pentagon told NBC News that they were highly confident that they killed everyone at the meeting. Military officials at U.S. Central Command forward headquarters in Doha, Qatar, confirmed the airstrike but would not comment on its possible effect. BUSY DAY FOR COALITION If Saddam was killed, U.S. military planners would have achieved one of their prime objectives in the war. It would cap a dramatic day in which U.S. forces established a foothold in one of Saddam’s palaces in Baghdad after swooping into the city the day before...

Fox (TV) is reporting that at least three intelligence sources say that at the time of the blasts that supposedly killed Saddam, he and his two sons were talking about escape routes out of Baghdad. Apparently the room they were in was under survelliance.

The hole in the ground where the blasts hit is at least "40 to 40 meters wide and several meters deep" according to Fox.

More as it comes in.

From the Sydney Morning Herald :

Somehow the pilot got it wrong. Maybe he mixed up the tank's position with ours; maybe he saw a wrecked Iraqi tank that was lying wrecked beside the crossroads. Most of the transport, including our own 4WDs, were marked with the orange panels which coalition vehicles carry, precisely to avoid mistakes like this.
The pilots are supposed to look out for things like that, we were told. Two F-14 jets came in low; they don't need to worry about anti-aircraft fire. Having had plenty of experience here of low-flying American aircraft, I spotted the single bomb which the second of the two planes dropped.
Even then it didn't occur to me it might be aimed at us. But - extraordinarily - I watched it crash down beside me. I even had the impression it was painted white, with a red nose-cone. It fell only about 10 metres from where I was standing. Blast, as many soldiers found in World Wars I and II, does extraordinary things. My four BBC colleagues and I were all close to the bomb as it fell, yet none of us was badly hurt.

Update to earlier post on Saddam's possible demise:

Fox now has a link to the story.

The United States struck a "leadership target" in Baghdad Monday, military officials said. The target was believed to be one or more of the top government or military leaders in Saddam Hussein's regime, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The strike was the result of "time sensitive" intelligence, meaning information which needed to be acted on quickly, the officials said.

The military officials said they did not know the identity of the target of the strike, or whether the target or targets had been killed.

Fearing US control might alienate Iraqi citizens and international control would preclude the death penalty, Iraqi exiles feel the new government should try former Ba'athists. In addition to what is obtained during and after the war, there are mountains of evidence against members of the regime. This Guardian article also contains short biographies of the top five potential defendants.

FoxNews reporting that Pentagon source has informed them that, acting on a tip from an informant on the ground, U.S. air assets attacked a "leadership target of opportunity in a residential neighborhood in or around Baghdad". Reports that Saddam and his two sons were seen going in, but not coming out. Battle damage assessment still going on, but "significant crater" was created. "Lots of ordnance" dropped on the target.

FURTHER UPDATE: Four bunker busters used; FoxNews being told "whoever was inside that building is not there anymore". Several U.S. senior officials characterize this information as "very strong" -- from the air and "three individuals on the ground". Were able to call in air strike within minutes of receiving this information. "No one left that complex." "These are officials that have been very cautious in the past, and they are telling me that there is a 'very good chance' that [Saddam] is dead."

Shepard Smith: US struck target of opportunity Sr. Officials -- leadership may have been inside. Supposedly Saddam and two sons. US dropped much ordinance. (Shows video)
AP Link
Brett Baier : Intel was from multiple sources (eavesdropping and humint)
Saddam and sons seen going in, but not going out. (MSNBC had similar report -- see below)
The explosion was shown live earlier in the day, and reported as "big explosion" at the time.

Reuters: A US Official said that there was intel about a gathering of leadership including Saddam and sons... no confirmation that Saddam was killed.

Rita Cosby: Sigint:... at the time of meeting they were talking about escape routes out of the country! Some sources say both sons, some say one son was there. Everyone says that Saddam was there. During Iran/Iraq war Brits sold Jaguar encryption system; US has been monitoring this Jaguar because Brits have given them the info. The doubles do not use this service. They strongly believe that they got Saddam. Also some Spec Ops have been there. Saw hole 40-50 meters wide and really deep. Her sources -- we were close to him many times in past few weeks. Strongly believe that he's dead, because this house he was in isn't there anymore.

Brett Baier: One official -- we're talking "dust" -- that's what's left. B-1B lancer with bunker busters. The crater that is left is extensive. This was a daytime strike. Not the bombing showed earlier. Will work on video.

It's been an article of faith in Australia that the only army as incompetently led as the US army are the Brits. From the carnage of the Somme, to the Fall of Singapore, the sheer stupidity of British Generals has been a given.
Not any more. Sometimes even Aussies get the message.
From The Australian :

No major military offensive in recent times has seen such methodical planning aimed at both minimising harm to the local population and preserving essential infrastructure.

Instead of blasting their way into the city, like the Russians did in Grozny, British troops, with the support of US Cobra helicopters, gradually wore down Iraqi resistance.

The more cautious approach, designed to gain the confidence of Basra residents, saved the lives of countless Iraqis and certainly dozens of British troops, who could have been picked off by Iraqi forces in a more conventional assault.

No wonder Britain's The Daily Telegraph felt it could boast a little when it saluted its best and bravest yesterday. "Strip away all the artefacts of modern war and we are left with an undeniable truth: our soldiers are better, braver and deadlier than theirs."

Want do something to help the soldiers in Iraq? A bunch of military mothers have set up Adopt a Platoon in order help those who wish to do something for the war effort.

MSNBC is reporting "senior administration officials" believe Saddam Hussein and his sons may have been killed in a recent bombing. May have been bunker-buster.

Andrea Mitchell is reporting to Lester Holt. Mitchell describes high-administration attitude as "cautious optimism." Sounds like a bombing that took place today.

UPDATE: Lester Holt's recap: "They believe they have gotten Saddam and his two sons....brought in B-1 bombers, dropped four 2,000-pound bunker-buster bombs, are reasonably sure they were in residence, though they could have moved [between time located by intel and arrival of bombs]

UPDATE: CNN, Fox News now reporting the story, similar information. They made such a large crater it may take days to find out who was in there, MSNBC reporter Carl Rochelle says. Fox News Shepard Smith says "multiple sources" telling them a building was "reduced to rubble." Rochelle: "They reliably believe they have taken out Saddam and his two sons."

Incidentally, in response to a comment below, Lester Holt earlier said GBU-28s were used.

UPDATE: Fox's Brent Baier, on Greta Sustern's show, said officials are describing the bomb site as "a crater."

UPDATE: Link to MSNBC story.

Final update at this position: The MSNBC story linked above says the bombs used were GBU-31s.

Incidentally, according to MSNBC, it was their Carl Rochelle who broke the story.

AP - Franks Visits Frontline Troops in Iraq

Franks visited southern Iraqi towns includint Najaf and Basra. He ate witht he troops and pinned a couple of Bronze Stars on members of the 101st Airborne.

My favourite quote "I think it would be almost impossible for anyone to see those kids and recognize where they came from and what they've done over the last two weeks and look at their mental state and morale and not feel pretty good about it," Franks said.

The article also states "scores waved and blew kisses to his motorcade" in Najaf.

Washington Post - Baghdad Mission Turns Fiery for 3rd Infantry Division

Compelling piece about the battle for control of an important highway cloverleaf in the south of Baghdad.

I found this particularly moving "An Army medic, Sgt. Mario Manzano of St. Petersburg, Fla., said one wounded prisoner offered him a thick wad of Iraqi dinars for treating him. When he refused, Manzano said, the Iraqi man began weeping, thanked him for the medical treatment and denounced President Saddam Hussein in broken English."

From The Gazette in Montreal, Canada:

A Montreal peace activist who returned from Baghdad described horrific images of bombed neighbourhoods and markets yesterday and said the war in Iraq threatens basic Western values.

Zehira Houfani, a writer, went to Iraq with the Iraq Peace Team (IPT) on March 13 with 11 others, including another Quebecer, Robert Turcotte.

At a news conference, Houfani said she visited nearly every bombing site while in Baghdad, and saw civilian deaths at numerous locations where there was no Iraqi military presence.

"Aside from government buildings there were an enormous amount of residential sites hit, an enormous amount of houses destroyed," Houfani said...

Houfani, who was able to travel around Baghdad with only a driver and without government handlers, said she didn't accept that the United States was ridding the world of a brutal dictator. Every Arab country is a dictatorship, she said, many of which enjoy support from Western countries.

"This is a colonization in progress," Houfani said.

This report is similar to the previous post on Chalabi, with this addition:

In a statement released in Kuwait, Mr Chalabi urged the Iraqi people to rise up against the regime. "The war of national liberation which Iraqis have waged for 30 years is now nearing its end," he said. "We call on the Iraqi people to join with us in removing the final remnants of Saddam's Baathist regime."

Perhaps the response is related to this quote: "After the war, the Iraqi people ''will be able to decide for themselves who should be their leaders,'' [Marine Gen. Peter Pace, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff] said.

From The Japan Times, words from the government:

Japan on Monday again called on Iraq to quickly surrender to U.S. led-coalition forces after U.S. armored vehicles made a surprise incursion into Baghdad over the weekend...

Iraq should surrender soon before the number of casualties grows, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi told reporters at his office, reiterating that Tokyo is prepared to do its utmost to help rehabilitate postwar Iraq...

Toshimitsu Motegi, senior vice foreign minister, said Japan will consult with other countries over how to deal with postwar Iraq in line with its recently announced five-point policy, which includes a call for sufficient U.N. involvement.

But Motegi declined comment on recent calls by top U.S. officials for humanitarian assistance and an interim administration led by the United States and possibly Britain after they topple the government of Saddam Hussein.

A top bureaucrat at the Finance Ministry said separately that Japan has received no specific request from the U.S. in terms of aiding the reconstruction of postwar Iraq.

No request of this kind has been made "either formally or informally," Vice Finance Minister Masakazu Hayashi said.

And words from Japanese human shields:

DAMASCUS (Kyodo) Jamila Takahashi, who was in Baghdad to coordinate the activities of Japanese "human shields" protesting the U.S.-led war on Iraq, said Sunday she wants to tell the world about the horrors of war. Takahashi, 62, left Iraq for Syria on Sunday evening.

"I fully realized the misery of war, as I saw children whose hands have been blown off and residents dying right before my eyes," she said. "I decided to leave the country to tell others about the situation in Iraq and the activities of the shields, and to call for peace."

Takahashi and the human shields made daily visits to Baghdad hospitals starting in late March, where they saw the wounded being treated, she said, adding that Iraqi authorities arranged transportation for their visits.

"I never felt my life was in danger," she said. "The facilities at which the shields are present were not attacked, and so I think we have been effective in protecting the people's lifelines."

NYT>>

United States military officials believe that Saddam Hussein's younger son, Qusay Saddam, is still alive and leading Iraqi security forces.

Officials based their conclusions on communications of top Iraqi military officials, including conversations among officers who say that Qusay Saddam has given them various orders.

From Kenya's Daily Nation:

Kenya has made a formal request to be included in a reconstruction programme for Iraq.

Foreign Affairs Minister Kalonzo Musyoka said yesterday that the government had written to the UN and the US government asking to take part in the reconstruction of Iraq after the war is over.

The request, he said, had been channelled through US Secretary of State Colin Powell, and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan...

At the same time, Mr Musyoka said the government would not give in to demands by Muslim leaders to close down the American and British embassies in the country...

He said the Muslims "had asked for the impossible because America and Britain are our traditional friends".

From the AP - Iraqi Exile's Homecoming Celebrated

Khuder Al-Emeri has returned to his hometown in Iraq. He was a leader in the Shiite uprising in 1991 and fled Iraq after the Iraqi regime placed a price on his head. He is in Iraq as a translator with the Free Iraqi Fighters travelling with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

"His family were among those who rushed out to greet him — including his 15-year-old son, Ali, whom he hadn't seen since he left Iraq. When they first saw each other, they embraced tightly and wept.
Ali Al-Emeri said he was afraid to ever let his father go away again, but Al-Emeri assured him: "Stay home. You are safe. I am here, the U.S. forces are here." "

NPR just highlighted a great website for those who have Marines serving in theatre. The name of the site is Marine Moms, and it looks very thorough.

http://marinemoms.us/usmc/

After hundreds of miles of highway travel, U.S. Marines on Monday finally used their amphibious assault vehicles the way they were intended - floating across a tributary of the Tigris River to take up positions near Rashid Airport, east of downtown Baghdad.

Like a row of giant, olive-green elephants, the amphibious Amtracs roared down the muddy banks of the Diyala River, splashed into the water and lumbered out on the other side.

"Usually we do it in the ocean," said Amtracker Lance Cpl. Casey Mattox, 22, a reservist from Foley, Ala.

(Knight Ridder)

Tikrit supposedly has been left in reserve for the US's most digitized force.

According to military sources here, advance elements of the US 4th Infantry Division are being rushed into central Iraq from Kuwait, ready to spearhead the attack on Tikrit. It is hoped that the assault on the 'spiritual heartland' of the regime will deal yet another psychological hammer blow to Iraqi resistance.

Does this mean the 3rd ID and the 1st MEF won't need reinforcements for the central and south Iraq?

WaPo reports from the city recently freed by the British. There is looting, injured in the hospital, and a convergence upon the symbols and structures of the brutal police state.

They came early to the abandoned Office of Public Safety today, an imposing high-rise in the Mazlaq neighborhood that was Basra's most notorious political prison. Some came looking for clues to the fate of the missing. Others came looking for revenge.

Sky News>> A British Army spokesman has reportedly said: "Militarily we have won the war - no significant resistance remains either in Basra or Baghdad."

Colonel Chris Vernon is reported to have said: "The British now control Basra and US forces will control Baghdad within days."

The comments were reported by Nick Parker of The Sun, who is in Basra, in a pooled despatch.

U.S. military commanders are preparing to launch a major assault to seize Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's birthplace, Tikrit, later this week, The Financial Times reported on its Web site Monday.

According to military sources at U.S. Central Command in Doha, Qatar, advance elements of the U.S. 4th Infantry Division are being rushed into central Iraq from Kuwait, ready to spearhead the attack on Tikrit, the report said.

The reports of chemical weapons and/or nerve agents found in Iraq has been a big story today. What follows is a roundup of a number of news items from around the Web.

NPR: U.S. Troops Find Possible Chemical Warheads Site
Reuters: U.S. Investigates Possible Chemical Agent Find
Sky News: 'NERVE AGENTS FOUND'
USA Today: Unconfirmed reports: Chemical weapons found
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel: Nerve agents detected in Iraq: Compound evacuated; troops show symptoms
CNN: Chemicals found
FOX News: Chemical Weapons Possibly Found
MSNBC: U.S. investigates chemical finds
Middle East Daily: Possible Iraqi WMD storage site found
Xinhua News Agency: PENTAGON SAYS MATERIAL FOUND IN HINDIYAH, IRAQ,TEST POSITIVE FOR CHEMICAL
Department of Defense News: Possible Chemical Site Found, Rumsfeld Details Progress

How Fedayeen Force Iraqis to Attack Coalition

News.Scotsman.com relays a poignant story about an elderly Iraqi forced to attack a British position.

(Updated 5:45)

NEWS - DAY 19 OF THE WAR
* U.S. forces storm the heart of Baghdad, seizing two Saddam palace complexes; U.S. troops, tanks still occupying one palace; looters take advantage of U.S. push

* Colin Powell says Washington will send a team to Iraq this week to assess the needs for a future interim authority

* Red Cross says conditions "terrible" in Baghdad hospital

* Iraqi opposition leader Chalabi arrives in southern Iraqi city of Nassiriya with 700 fighters; head of Iraq's main Shi'ite opposition will return to Iraq after 23-year exile, aide says

* U.S. officers say may have found banned chemical weapons

* Britain says thinks it has found body of "Chemical Ali"

QUOTES
Rumsfeld: "We believe that the reign of terror of Chemical
Ali has come to an end."
Colin Powell: "There will be a role for the United Nations
as a partner in this process."
UK soldier on mood in Basra towards troops: "This is more
than we could have hoped for. We took part in the raid yesterday
and today it's a completely different city."

EVENTS (TIMES IN GMT)
Monday -
* Bush, Blair meet over dinner at start of two-day summit
south of Belfast, Northern Ireland
* Foreign ministers of six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council
hold emergency meeting in Kuwait to discuss Iraq war
* Summit of Christian and Muslim leaders in Qatar

Tuesday -
* Bush, Blair end two-day summit, hold news conference
* French Foreign Minister Villepin meets Kuwaiti Foreign
Minister in Paris

Friday
* Schroeder meets Putin

CASUALTIES
* U.S. - 91 dead, 14 missing
* Britain - 30 dead
* Iraqi military - More than 2,320, according to U.S.
military. Iraq has given no figures for its military losses
* Iraqi civilians (Iraqi estimates) - 1,252 killed, 5,103
injured

MILITARY ACTION
BAGHDAD: U.S. forces mount raid into the heart of Baghdad
and enter two presidential palace complexes. U.S. officer says
65 tanks and 40 Bradley fighting vehicles take part.
U.S. forces near the Information Ministry and central Rashid
Hotel but do not take them. Iraqi forces block many Tigris
bridges, defend key ministries with rocket-propelled grenades.
U.S. military describes assault as show of force, rather
than final attack, but troops remain in city after nightfall.
Iraqi, U.S. troops exchange fire in a "battle zone" in
central Baghdad that includes a residential district. Two U.S.
soldiers and two journalists killed, 15 injured and six missing
in Iraqi attack on communications centre south of Baghdad.
Two U.S. Marines killed, many injured in fighting to secure
two bridges over a river on the edge of Baghdad, U.S. military
says. Marines say both bridges badly damaged in fighting but
they have crossed the river using one of the bridges and a new
crossing laid by military bridge-laying machines. Heavy bombing
of Baghdad resumes.

SOUTHERN IRAQ: British paratroopers guarded by tanks and
helicopter gunships walk unopposed into the centre of Iraq's
second city, Basra
British forces still expect some resistance from a "hard
core" of Ba'ath Party members

NORTHERN IRAQ: Kurdish Peshmerga fighters, working with U.S.
forces, advance south towards Iraq's third largest city Mosul,
capturing the small town of Faida on the way.

Via World Net Daily, the Middle East Media Research Intsitute (MEMRI) finds Abd Al-Rahman Al-Rashed, editor-in-chief of the London-based Saudi daily Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, criticizing Arab media war coverage. MEMRI translates Arab-language publications into English. An excerpt:

I [understand] the feelings of my colleagues, the Arab journalists, who deal with events emotionally rather than reasonably. They collect fragments of news reports that suit their hopes...."

"I know that adopting an impartial stand in the [Arab] media world is akin to suicide, because there are many who push the media into extremes, and take 'nationalistic' positions, and maintain that whoever thinks differently is committing treason against the [national] cause. [They maintain] that lying for the sake of the cause is moral and honorable....

"The Arab media today, with its clear inclination towards exaggerations and false promises of victory, is feeding the public stories that have nothing to do with the real events in the field.…"

He also criticizes ignoring proposals of the Iraqi opposition and reports about Iraqi secret service firing on Iraqis trying to escape.

In a follow-up article a few days later, Al-Rashed responded to criticisms of his previous article:

"…[The] Arab media today is worse than the media in 1967, because it is not objective and it is not impartial… The 1967 media had limited circulation, while from the media of 2003 - no one is immune since it [reaches] every house…"

"…The Arab media intentionally censored the proposals of the Iraqi opposition, although it represents segments of the Iraqi people… More importantly, they censored any reports that contradicted their [ideological] positions, such as the reports about Iraqi secret service units firing on Iraqis who were trying to escape. [Instead], the Arab media published stories reminiscent of the adventures of Sindibad, such as the story about the one farmer who downed an Apache helicopter with an old rifle. Some of the Arab media highlighted reports that the coalition forces used chemical weapons, a claim that even the Iraqi information minister did not make. Tens of stories were axed just because they contradicted what Baghdad was saying, or because their sources were American."

"The question is then, how do we know the truth when a journalist turns himself into a biased censor?"

"[Let me make clear:] I am not asking to ignore the Iraqi version, despite the fact that it is ridiculous or an outright lie. And I am not asking to report news coming from the American commanders only, even if they are truthful. I am demanding to allow the Arab individual to get the news in their two versions, in order to avoid falling into the trap of biased reports, as in 1967..."

"Today, it is a battle of information just like 1967. Every editor sits with his scissors and tells the people: this is what you are going to see, and this is what you are not allowed to hear because it features an Iraqi as Washington's supporter, or it describes the defeat of the brave [Iraqi] troops, or it looks like a propaganda campaign. There is a difference between a media tool that acts like a sifter and one that acts as a distributor. The later is better." ...

"Watch what most of the Arab cable stations - not only Al-Jazeera - are broadcasting from Baghdad. Most of them are acting as mouthpieces of the Iraqi Information Ministry. None of them had the courage to ask, just ask, during the drama about downing a plane in Baghdad and pursuing the pilots in the waters of the Tigris, no one asked the [Iraqi] Ministry of Information – which gathered [the people] and sent them to watch the drama – where is the plane, which could not have evaporated after it was downed, and [where were] the parachutes that the two [pilots] used?... Unfortunately it was a fabrication…"

"Notice the difference in press conferences on both sides. In the West, journalists are not satisfied with listening. They probe, express opposing opinions and expose lies. In our media, anything [the Iraqi Information Minister] Al-Sahhaf says is broadcast as if he was a Friday preacher in a mosque..."

There's more.

From this:

The Qatari broadcaster Al-Jazeera, whose coverage of the US-led invasion of Iraq has upset both the belligerent sides, claimed Monday that US troops had fired at one of its cars from close range outside Baghdad... The TV showed footages of a car, dotted with bullet holes, saying US troops opened fire at the vehicle which was moving on a highway near the International Baghdad Airport... American troops stopped the car for inspections and shot at it shortly after they let the driver head on, Al-Jazeera said.

From this:

NEAR BAGHDAD, April 7 (AFP) - US Marines in Iraq have discovered bomb-making facilities at a facility described as a training camp operated by the a faction of the Palestine Liberation Front (PLF), a military spokesman said Monday... Bomb-making facilities, chemicals, mortars, gas masks and AK-47s were found inside the 20-building complex to the east of Baghdad... The complex, which was the size of a battalion headquarters, featured pictures of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, PLF faction leader Abu Abbas and the PLF's flag...

This article from March 21 says: "A Palestinian terrorist group announced that one of its officers was killed in the initial U.S. missile attacks on Iraq."

For an overview of today (Monday) read

• Reuters: snapshot + slide shows


• BBC: at-a-glace
• GlobalSecurity: Iraq special weapons news
• CentCom: news releases + multimedia
• DoD: headlines
• White House: updates and briefings

BBC

With the focus of the war in Iraq now mainly on Baghdad, little attention is being paid to Saddam Hussein's home town of Tikrit, 160 kilometres (100 miles) to the north.

Some observers think it could be there, rather than in Baghdad, that Saddam Hussein or members of his family might choose to make their last stand.

Fayetteville (NC) Observer: Guerillas flee Rumaythanh

Fayetteville (NC) Observer: With the Troops: Photo slideshow of Rumaythanh

Fayetteville (NC) Observer: Three Bragg troops hurt in truck crash

Didn't see it, but a promo box over at FoxNews.com had this teaser for John Gibson's 5 p.m. (eastern) show:

Special Guest - Saddam Hussein's former chief of protocol says the Iraqi dictator fled Baghdad with his two sons three days ago.

There was a post earlier today about warnings by the Israeli defense minister that these are "critical days" for Israel with Saddam's "back against the wall." Here's a little Debka file, for what it's worth, on what that's all about:

After further investigation, DEBKAfile’s military sources report that the missiles US special forces located in western Iraq Monday April 7 were Al-Samoud types not Scuds, as previously reported.

However, those sources stress that this does not alter the fact that Scud missiles are present further north in the Al Qayam Syrian border region and aimed at Israel. US forces have not reached that remote part of Iraq which is still controlled by Iraqi commandos.... . US war commanders and Israeli generals have come to believe that these Iraqi commando units have been charged with guarding the missiles and weapons of mass destruction Saddam Hussein has massed in the region, with the option of pushing them across to Syria if threatened.

Here's everything:

After further investigation, DEBKAfile’s military sources report that the missiles US special forces located in western Iraq Monday April 7 were Al-Samoud types not Scuds, as previously reported.

However, those sources stress that this does not alter the fact that Scud missiles are present further north in the Al Qayam Syrian border region and aimed at Israel. US forces have not reached that remote part of Iraq which is still controlled by Iraqi commandos. Sunday night, April 6, US special forces attempted to storm the region but were thrown back. US war commanders and Israeli generals have come to believe that these Iraqi commando units have been charged with guarding the missiles and weapons of mass destruction Saddam Hussein has massed in the region, with the option of pushing them across to Syria if threatened.

This threat prompted Israeli defense minister Shaul Mofaz, prominently carrying his gas mask, to warn earlier Monday: These are critical days. The danger to Israel is not over. Saddam with his back to the wall may take irrational decisions. The combination could be fatal for us.

For those of you who were worried the comedy would end, fear not. I just saw the Iraqi Minister of Information on CNN, where he said that the American forces in Baghdad had been repelled, and that soon the Iraqi army would "slaughter" the rest.

How long until an SNL cast member makes this guy a recurring skit?

AP via WaPo>> U.S. national security adviser Condoleezza Rice told President Vladimir Putin and other top officials Monday that the United States was committed to its partnership with Russia in spite of the two nations' sharp differences over the war in Iraq, a senior U.S. diplomat said.

During a 24-hour visit, Rice met with Russian Security Council chief Vladimir Rushailo, Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov and Putin's chief of staff, Alexander Voloshin. She and the two Ivanovs also met with Putin, a senior U.S. diplomat said.

Saddam has many palaces, and the Americans visited two on Sunday, including another about two miles away.

This one, constructed recently near his Baath Party headquarters, apparently was built as a residence and for entertainment, though it is unclear how much time the Iraqi president spent there. Troops found no personal effects, no "to-do lists" on the refrigerators, no needlepoint pillows on the beds.

What they found, instead, was a building that had all the ambiance of a luxury, five-star conference center. And they immediately put it to use as a mobile command center, setting up a prisoner of war collection point in the palace compound.

As Iraqis were captured in street fighting outside, they were brought to the palace for processing before being sent behind U.S. lines.

Bush Flies In For War Summit

The view from the White House appears to be that after incurring both the human and financial costs of liberating Iraq, the US and her coalition partners should have the decisive say in the shape of the new Iraq, with the UN having a relatively minor role, largely concerned with humanitarian relief.

Newsday.com - Cuba Will Keep Baghdad Embassy Open

"Our colleagues have remained there for reasons of principle despite the dangers to fulfill their jobs as diplomats and to keep their country informed of the development of events," the ministry said in a statement. "Their position as diplomats is absolutely neutral."

Yahoo! News - Iraqis Fight Each Other in Nassiriya, U.S. Says

"We're looking at forces inside the city taking each other on. This is Iraqi against Iraqi," said Captain Rick Crevier, a company commander with the U.S. 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

From Reuters

The United States plans to conduct trials of Iraqis alleged to have committed war crimes against American forces and could possibly include President Saddam Hussein and his sons, U.S. officials said on Monday.

Officials from the Pentagon and State Department told a news briefing that the United States does not intend to turn to an international tribunal to carry out these proceedings.

W. Hays Parks, special assistant to the Army Judge Advocate General, said trials could be handled by U.S. military commissions, military courts martial, or in civilian federal courts. Parks accused Iraq's government of three specific violations of the Geneva Conventions and related laws of war, and said others were being investigated.

Pierre-Richard Prosper, U.S. ambassador for war crime issues, said possible punishments for those convicted range from incarceration to the death penalty.

U.S. Finds Barrels That May Hold Chemical Weapons

Photo of suspected WMD barrels is here.

EDITORIAL COMMENT: Is this how you store your pesticides?

Material found in Hindiyah, Iraq, tests positive for chemical-warfare agents in preliminary testing, Pentagon sources tell CNN. More tests being conducted. Details soon.

Found in the SF Chronicle, a great story:

Although there is no such thing as an invincible bullet-proof vest, the protective gear -- helmets lined with Kevlar and body vests that use Kevlar and 1-inch-thick ceramic plates -- has reduced the number of injuries to coalition forces.

In one well-publicized example, British Royal Marine Commando Eric Walderman took four shots to the head during a firefight at the port of Umm Qasr, but was not hurt because the bullets did not penetrate his Kevlar helmet.

"Many people are alive today because they were wearing their body armor and their Kevlar helmet," said Col. Clifford Cloonan, who heads the military and emergency medicine department at the Bethesda, M.D., hospital that trains U.S. military doctors for battlefield work.

AFP>> Iraq may have set up the weekend attack on a convoy of Russian diplomats fleeing Baghdad by instructing the drivers to take a different route than planned.

[A U.S.] official, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, said there were indications the Iraqis had tried to create an international incident by altering the route of the convoy to pass through a contested area west of Baghdad on Sunday.

"It looks like it was a trap set by the Iraqis," the official said.

From the Jerusalem Post:

The US Army's 3rd infantry division, 2-7 Mechanized Infantry Brigade, is involved in a fierce battle with Palestinian and Jordanian gunmen in the industrial area of southern Baghdad.

The people shooting at US forces are using coordinated attacks using RPG's, suicide trucks, artillery, and sniper fire.

Two journalists and two military personnel were killed in the coordinated attack by the Palestinian and Jordanian fighters.

Military sources are saying that they know from prisoners of war that the Palestinian and Jordanian fighters are attempting to reorganize Iraqi resistance in Baghdad.

The military sources called the gunmen "thugs".

There are some US casualties, but many more enemy casualties.

Rumsfeld:Coalition forces operating in and out of Baghdad...as his regime collapses around him(Saddam)... dead, injured or running... we may not know where he is, but he is not running much....in south.. reign of terror of Chemical Ali has come to an end -- to Shia --He will never er terrorize you again... names on screen of US Forces who have given their lives... deeply grateful for thier sacrifice... re: wounded/captured and their families...they are true heroes... their spirits are high.. to the mission join you in prayers.. contrast this with regime where they execute POWs and commit atrocities... As coalition makes progress Iraqis losing fear... let me assure Iraqis -- life w/out Saddam hussein is not a far off dream.. we will not stop... soon transition to peaceful new Iraq, whole free and at peace... Fisher family who died in plane crash.. many familes stayed at "Fisher houses" thier assistance is deeply appreciated.

Myers: 85 brave service members who gave their lives are heros... remeber those missing and held prisoners.. we will make every effort to find you... visited wounded... often primary concern is to rejoin comrades ASAP..condolences to family of Tony and Anne Fisher.. will miss them very much... battlefield has shifted since last briefing..visited two Saddam palaces...caution: much work still to be done..1000 sorties 750 tomamhawsk

Video of Chemical Ali being bombed (1st missed second hit)
Third video was of Rocket launcher that was targetted, civilian vehicles entered, pilot changed course to avert harm to civilian

Q&A below...

Q: WMD chemical find?

Rumsfeld: Embeds report what they find. That's fine. We don't report on 1st reports -- there are dozens and dozens of 1st reports that were wrong. We don't speculate.. it takes days until we get good info.. prudent to let the thing play itself out

Q: Given world gov't skeptics will there be a "chain of custody for WMD finds?
Rumsfeld: Yes, to the extent possible. Still a battlefield, but to the extent possible there will be a "chain of custody."

Q: There was specific example of Colin Powell WMD talked about. Was that tracked and correlated Western Iraq?
Myers: I'll have to check and get back to you on that. We've focused hard on delivery means to stop them from being launched.

Q: Exiled Iraqis incl. Ahmed Chalabi are in Kuwait -- does it mean a role for him?
Rumsfeld: Iraqi people will decide.. US Gov't has been working with Kurds in North..Also trained some Iraqis broght them in.. then there was group you sdescribed.. 4 Shia groups... 6 8 10 activities og Iraqis ... thats a good thing.. helpful to us..

Q: Are they in combat?
Rumsfeld: Some are doing that

Q: British gains in Basra:Impact on Baghdad?
Rumsefld: Unclear how much impact that will have. Communications are down throughout much of the country. Facts on the ground are different in different parts of Iraq.

Q: Did you veto someone that Garner nominated?
Rumsfeld: Garner is helping us with an activity.. has moved to Kuwait.. includes depts agriculture, state...eg what do you do with ministries (eg agricultiure) in Iraq... will have coalition partners in place... want to place Iraqis in place ASAP.. activities that would be proper..that's what is taking place.. Garner's area has been pretty well sorted through

Q: Why did you sayAmerican POWs executed? How many of nine?
Rumsfeld: I said they have executed POWs.. I didn't say American.. There may have been..but I'm not saying that... can you check what I said? I don't think I said that, becuase if I said it I want to correct it -- I'm not annoucing it at this time.. (check paper ) I did not say Americans

Q: Tipping point in Iraq?
Rumsfeld: Tipping point is within a single human being, a cluster of people, a village... unlikely to happen to a whole country at once... concept is correct.. at some point agregation -- in effect country will have tipped...

Q: Palaces - why?
Myers: A few reasons.. demonstrate lack of control of regime.... gather intel...

Q: Iraq command and control coherent?
Myers: It doesn't look like it.. doesn't mean that some units won't be tough. Still difficult battles ahead.

Q: In light of attack by soldier who was Muslim.. any force protection procedures changed?
Rumsfeld: This is under investigation.. can't compare

Q: Re: Reconstruction Are you supporting/endorsing Ahmed Chalabi?
Rumsfeld: The Iraqi people will decide. in have not said that... It will be something like Afghanistan.. not called Loya Jerga... people who say they know what will happen are like people who talk about war plan and haven't seen it

Q: Congress voted against Pentagon to have money? What does that mean? (editor's note -- questioner was wrong. Senate voted against, House for. Conf. committee not held yet)
Rumsfeld: Gone from debating war plan without knowing what it said .. to post Iraq without knowing what was said... president will decide..it will be president's policy

Q: Egyptian television -- who has given comfort to Saddam?
Rumsfeld: Two things that fits that view 1. Suppliers of capability that we didn't want them to ave, like Syria 2. this is mopre nebulas... president tryied not to have war... during that periood or even recently.. speculation about cease fire... we would be better off if it ends sooner.. to extent that people suggested that there may be a way for Saddam to survive...

Q: Double follow up-- re: moving WMD to another country -- any info that WMD has been moved
Myers: No evidence of that

Q: Friendly fire -- anyone in US Military being held accountable -- suspended?
Myers: Centcom handling that. If they determine that it was not a mistkake that would apply.. getting all the facts...every circumstance was different

Q:When will you declare victory?
Rumsfeld: That's a tough question... guess is.. later rather than sooner...big country.. cannot conclude kinetic aspects over until later... doesn't depend on Saddam Hussein.. once regime has been changed.. people can move safely around country... takes a little bit of time.. not for me to decide.. up to president and PM Blair.. just offering my best guess...

Q: Stabilization prcess.. Gen Garner
Rumsfeld: Garner won't do stablization, Gen Franks will do that.. Ganer is there for civil issues.. won't wait for Garner to start
Q: inaudible
Rumsfeld: If we answered that, they'd think we weren't kidding when we said "last question."

From WaPo:

President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair began to focus on postwar rebuilding in Iraq on Monday, as Secretary of State Colin Powell said, "The hostilities phase is coming to a conclusion."

From USA Today:

As U.S. air and ground forces blast into Baghdad, dozens of CIA paramilitaries and thousands of U.S. special operations troops are waging a hidden war in Iraq's shadows.

Under the cover of darkness, they're hunting and assassinating Baath Party members and Republican Guard leaders, rigging selected bridges to explode when suspected Iraqi leaders drive by in armored vehicles, and using viruses to disable computers at military command centers, power plants and telephone networks.

BRIDGE Information Systems Story .XXJMV

Updated at: 07 APR 2003 17:54:39

NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--U.S. soldiers in Iraq's Karbala area, raiding an empty
training camp in search of abandoned weapons, instead found several large oil
drums that, according to early inconclusive evidence, contains nerve gas and
mustard gas, the New York Times reported Monday, citing military officials.

During the raid, according to the report, two U.S. soldiers of the 101st
Division became sick after accidentally inhaling a riot control gas, CN, that
was also in an oil drum, but Army officials said they didn't believe the
soldiers were seriously ill.

"We're treating it as real, we're reporting it as real," the Times quoted Col.
Tim Madere, the top chemical officer in V Corps, as saying in referring to the
oil drums that he said may contain the chemical or biological weapons.

According to the report on the newspaper's Web site, Madere said initial tests
indicated the presence of nerve gas and mustard gas, but conclusive results
probably won't be available until Tuesday or Wednesday.

Officials promptly notified the Defense Department about the discovery, the
newspaper reported.

According to the report, Madere said that a preliminary test by a military
chemical unit at the scene, indicated the presence of nerve gas, which is
potentially lethal, as well as mustard gas. But he withheld final judgment until
a squad of the 51st Chemical Company, which was rushed to the scene, took
samples and returned them to a U.S. base in Iraq where more conclusive tests can be made.

Because of dust, lightening and poor visibility, the newspaper said, the
chemical team was unable to board a helicopter with the samples and instead, the team had to drive, delaying any more conclusive result until Tuesday or
Wednesday.

According to Madere, soldiers from the 101st Division were on a mission Sunday
to the north side of the town of Hindiyah, east of Karbala, an area that has
been a battleground in recent days. The soldiers were searching for an Iraqi
weapons cache based on a captured map that showed various potential arms sites, the Times reported.

Madere said that the soldiers came upon an empty training camp that the Army
believed may have been a base for either Iraqi paramilitaries or Palestinians
and other foreigners seeking to join the Iraqi side, the newspaper reported.
Slogans on the wall saying "Palestine for Palestinians," and other evidence
pointed to the possibility that the camp may have been a training base for
non-Iraqis.

According to the Times, several soldiers became ill, and the company quickly
put on their chemical protection gear. Sunday night, the chemical unit told
military superiors that they had identified the problem as CN, a riot control
gas that causes vomiting and blisters.

Madere said that the chemical team stayed overnight to check several other
large oil drums. Monday morning, the team tested a 20-gallon drum, and concluded that it tested positive for sarin, a nerve gas, as well as tabun, another nerve gas. Tests on the contents of a 55-gallon oil drum came up positive for mustard gas, the newspaper reported.

The team was then ordered to take samples immediately to laboratory facilities
set up in Iraq to test for chemical weapons. Conclusive tests will take place in
the U.S., the Times said.

Yahoo! News - U.S. Says It May Have Found Iraqi WMD Storage Site

NEAR BAGHDAD (Reuters) - U.S. biological and chemical weapons experts believe they may have found an Iraqi storage site for chemical weapons, a U.S. officer told Reuters on Monday.

INRA reports » Iran's army chief, Major General Mohammad Salimi, here Monday called on the country's armed forces to prepare for any confrontation with probable foreign threats. "Armed forces, especially students of higher military science courses, must be ready to confront any probable threats and attacks of aliens," he told a group of army cadets and their trainers.

Yahoo News:

NEAR NAJAF, Iraq (AFP) - A facility near Baghdad that a US officer had claimed might finally be "smoking gun" evidence of Iraqi chemical weapons production turned out to contain pesticide, not sarin gas as originally thought.

A military intelligence officer for the US 101st Airborne Division's aviation brigade, Captain Adam Mastrianni, told AFP that comprehensive tests Monday determined the presence of the pesticide compounds.

Originally found this story via BBC News Online (April 7, 1547 entry). Reuters report provides more detail.

Iraqi forces detained two Polish journalists on Monday at a checkpoint in southern Iraq, according a colleague who was one of three to evade capture.

The missing journalists are Marcin Firlej of all-news channel TVN 24 and Jacek Kaczmarek of Polish public radio's first channel.

Firlej's colleague, Maciej Woroch, told TVN 24 the pair had been held by five or six armed Iraqis, some in uniform and some wearing black clothing, on the road between Kerbala and Najaf, south of Baghdad.

UPDATE: This story was reported by Dima, with commentary, on the Op-Ed page.

Here's an interesting piece from the SF Chronicle's reporter on the ground, John Kooperman dated April 5th:

'Ain't like driving on the highway,' says soldier No headlights allowed at night

Update to this post

Initial Tests Suggest WMD 'Cocktail' Found in Iraq

Preliminary tests on substances found at a military training camp in central Iraq suggest they contain a cocktail of banned chemical weapons, including deadly nerve agents, U.S. officers said on Monday.

Maj. Michael Hamlet of the U.S. 101st Airborne Division said the initial tests revealed levels of nerve agents sarin and tabun and the blister agent lewisite, Reuters correspondent Kieran Murray reported from a U.S. military post at Kerbala.

ABC Australia>> Iraq said on Monday it had downed two US military planes, an A-10 and an F-15, around Baghdad.

The A-10 tankbusting ground attack aircraft was shot down "at the gates of Baghdad," while the F-15 was downed "over the air force academy" inside the capital, an Iraqi military spokesman said on state television.

The US military has not confirmed the claims, which came after US forces Monday raided President Saddam Hussein's main presidential compound in central Baghdad, three days after taking control of the international airport on the city's outskirts.

David Asman on Fox: Wires say that initial tests show -- Banned Chemical weapons found in "Albu Mahawish, on the Euphrates river between the central Iraqi cities of Kerbala and Hilla, site of ancient Babylon." Reuters - Nerve agents sarin and tabun -- area where they found storage area.. . People started to throw up and blister when the went into the room.

Bret Baier: EPW led them to site.
Major Garrett: Sr. Defense Official: Field kits (that are sometimes wrong) show that site had bulk storage of sarin, tabun and mustard type blistering agents..large stockpile. They've secured the area and bringing more experts in.

Preliminary tests on substances found at a military training camp in central Iraq suggest they contain a cocktail of banned chemical weapons, including deadly nerve agents, U.S. officers said on Monday.Maj. Michael Hamlet of the U.S. 101st Airborne Division said the initial tests revealed levels of nerve agents sarin and tabun and the blister agent lewisite, Reuters correspondent Kieran Murray reported from a U.S. military post at Kerbala.

Hamlet said a team of experts would carry out further tests as early as Tuesday on the substances, discovered at the camp in Albu Mahawish, on the Euphrates river between the central Iraqi cities of Kerbala and Hilla, site of ancient Babylon.

Reuters reports:

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said on Monday a significant U.N. role in Iraq would bring international legitimacy to any new Iraqi government.

Annan also said he would name Rafeeuddin Ahmed, a Pakistani national and former associate administrator of the U.N. Development Program, as his special adviser on Iraq. Ahmed has been advising Annan for several months on post-war Iraq.

"I do expect the U.N. to play an important role, and the U.N. has had good experience in this area," Annan said.

FOX News is reporting that the Iraqi Information Ministry is saying that the Iraqis are attacking American snipers at the Al-Rashid Hotel. The Al-Rashid had been a frequently-used position for journalists, not as frequently used now compared to Palestine Hotel, et al.

Reports of explosions from that location are coming in.

It started with the kids. Somehow it always does - curiosity elbowing aside shyness of strangers and parents' admonitions for caution.

"Ameericaah?" a little girl asked a Marine who had entered her village and taken a defensive position as others began to search homes. The streets were deserted. People peered around their gates.

Later a Marine spoke to the crowd and asked the name of the local party official. People looked sheepish and did not give it.

"I know you think Saddam Hussein may not be finished, but I'm telling you he is," said the soldier, who requested anonymity. "I know you are afraid. Look at the soldiers behind me. We've all come to rid you of Saddam. You don't need to be afraid any more."

The crowd of about 100 people immediately broke into applause. It was obvious they had learned in the past to cheer anything any official said.

UPI

Reuters >> - Iraqi snipers crouched behind bridges and artillery fire rang out from almost every direction as Iraqi forces defended Baghdad against U.S. troops who had thrust into the heart of the city.

The urban warfare that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein promised the invading forces finally began as dozens of U.S. tanks rumbled into the city of five million people and entered two presidential compounds on the west bank of the Tigris on Monday.

Peter Arnett finds another new job
TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Fired NBC correspondent Peter Arnett began reporting from Iraq today as a special Baghdad correspondent for Taiwan's TVBS cable news. Before Arnett began reporting for TVBS, the station had no correspondents in Baghdad.

Since he was fired by NBC, Arnett has also been reporting for pan-Arab satellite channel Al-Arabiya, based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He has also been hired by the private Belgian TV network VTM, the state-run Greek television channel NET, and The Daily Mirror of London, a tabloid vehemently opposed to the war.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. forces near Baghdad found a weapons cache of around 20 medium-range missiles equipped with potent chemical weapons, the U.S. news station National Public Radio reported on Monday.

NPR, which attributed the report to a top official with the 1st Marine Division, said the rockets, BM-21 missiles, were equipped with sarin and mustard gas and were "ready to fire." It quoted the source as saying new U.S. intelligence data showed the chemicals were "not just trace elements."

Hat tip: Little Green Footballs

Reuters>> Iraqi television showed footage on Monday of President Saddam Hussein meeting with top aides after the United States said it stormed into the heart of the capital Baghdad and grabbed two of Saddam's palace compounds.

The president, wearing military fatigues, was shown sitting in a room with windows and with wall maps behind him.

Also seen present at the meeting were his younger son and heir apparent Qusay, Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan and Deputy Prime Minister Tareq Aziz as well as other senior military officials.

As U.S. tanks roll through Baghdad, residents are waiting for more ordinary transportation -- city buses.

At the Iraqi capital's main bus terminal, nearly 500 people, civilians and soldiers, stood waiting for a ride.

Others are trying to hitch-hike, but it's not clear where they're trying to go. Dust is clouding the air, stirred by a coming windstorm. A haze is also blanketing the city because of explosions and fires.

I've been watching several Baghdad cams today. I've been suprised to see buses, cars and even bicycles go by as if it is a normal day.

DJ for NPR Sacked

Terry Hughes has spoken in favor of the war in Iraq and President Bush's handling of it while denouncing NPR's bias against Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Associated Press reported today.

"We have a policy that our announcers don't express opinions on matters of a controversial nature," Art Timko [station manager] said.

"With only one or two Iraqi cities firmly held by US-led forces in the third week of their invasion, experts are questioning the effectiveness of the American war plan, and the credibility of messages being relayed by US diplomats."

This war marks the first time Baghdad has been raided since 1941:

MSNBC>>
1258 - Hulagu, grandson of Mongol leader Genghis Khan, captures and destroys Baghdad, ending the Abbasid caliphate.
1393 - Tamurlane, who had proclaimed himself Mongol Khan in 1370, invades Baghdad.
1534 - Baghdad is annexed to the Ottoman Empire by Suleiman the Magnificent. Apart from a five-year interlude of Persian rule from 1623, it remains in the empire until the 20th century, despite recurrent anti-Ottoman insurrections.
1917 - British and Indian troops capture Baghdad, wresting it from the Ottoman Turks who backed Germany in World War One.
1941 - British troops enter Baghdad again to depose a pro-German military-backed government led by Rashid Ali.

Fox News says that Kuwaiti media mentions a popular uprising in Baghdad.

MSNBC>> ''There are million of mines in Iraq. Whether it is two million or five million or eight million is impossible to say because of the lack of transparency,'' Stephen Goose, director of the armaments section of Human Rights Watch, said.

Iraq is layered with mines from the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war, the 1991 Gulf War and the current conflict.

LA Times: After blunt U.S. diplomatic warnings, Iran and Syria have at least temporarily closed their borders with Iraq in moves that could prevent hundreds of Al Qaeda and Ansar al Islam extremists from escaping into Iran and cut off Arab fighters and military equipment arriving from Syria, according to senior U.S. officials.

Another night sortie finds me in the observer's seat for takeoff.

The last couple days the temperature has been a little over 100 degrees. The cockpit seems to capture the heat and hold it long after the sun has gone down. It doesn't help that all the electrical equipment (we're surrounded by dials, switches, and circuit breakers) is emitting heat as well. Before engine start, our power comes from an external generator, and is limited. Any available air conditioning goes to cool the mission computers toward the rear of the jet. So the preflight checklists are completed in growing heat. The humans on the flight deck have to adapt.

Cross-posted, as usual, on yourish.com.

I strap myself into the seat and slide it all the way forward, until the back of the pilot's seat forms a footrest and I have a better view through the windows. I love the cockpit at night. The cramped space is infused with a dim green glow. In that pale light, everything is stripped to bare essentials. There is no mistaking what we are about.

I listen to the pilot, copilot, and flight engineer run their checklists, and from behind us the navigator adds his inputs. Again there is the unavoidable impression of a well-rehearsed drill. Everyone knows his part. Everyone knows what comes next, and what to do if it doesn't.

We talk to the ground crew, the unsung army of heroes that keeps our planes flying and without whom we can do nothing. We coordinate with them to start our engines. Engines running and with assurances from the back of the jet that the crew is strapped in and gear is stowed, we are cleared to roll out of our parking space. A ground crew member stands directly in front of us, flashlight wands tucked behind his back until, with a blink of our lights, we let him know we are ready. The wands come out, directing us with sharp definite movements to roll forward and turn left. And then, before he disappears from our peripheral vision, he snaps to attention and throws the pilot a crisp salute, packing into one quick gesture a wish for a successful mission and a safe return.

We follow the taxiway marked by hooded lights - blue along the edges, green down the center. Everything else is darkness but the distant horizon of orange sodium vapor lamps. We turn a corner and our exhaust stirs dust and sand from the edge of the ramp into the already dusty air. As we roll toward the downwind end of the runway the tailwind pushes our little sandstorm along with us. Each taxiway light has a halo around it.

Ahead of us are four fighters and another heavy. The fighters launch in quick succession. They are tiny compared to the jets behind them but they are menacing, with sleek death hanging beneath their wings. Each thunders down the runway pushed by its afterburner, a perfect twenty-foot cone of pink-white flame that streaks to the end of the tarmac and then points straight up. In no time the tiny sparks have climbed out of sight, reaching safe altitude before they leave the airspace over our field.

Our turn for takeoff. Power set, brakes released, our behemoth hurls itself into the wind. The pilot and copilot call out our ground speed, matching it against our diminishing runway space. At the appropriate speed for the altitude of our airfield, the weight of our aircraft, and the temperature of the air, someone calls "rotate" and we lift off the ground. The landing gear clunks as it unloads its shock absorbers, then clunks again as it is retracted into the wheel wells. The tiny world we know is disappearing beneath us.

It takes us longer to climb than it took the fighters. Our jet is heavy to begin with, but the warm air is thin, making it harder for our wings to lift us. We corkscrew our way into the sky, rising in a spiral that keeps us over friendly ground until above the service altitude of shoulder-fired missiles.

As we spiral we break through the layer of dust blanketing the earth and suddenly the stars are out. They are breathtaking. So numerous and so bright, with only a sliver of moon to diminish them. A far-off city throws its light up against the bottom of the dust layer, and it glows yellow-orange. Everywhere else, the ground is perfectly black. It is the darkness of a void; so black that you can understand how pilots can fly into the ground without knowing it. But there is no fear of that now. We are secure in our glowing cockpit (cooling now) climbing steadily, leaning into the bank that carries us around just one more time until we are high enough to leave our home and join the hunt.

***

Right or wrong, there is the sense here that things are drawing to a close. I try not to think about it, for fear of a let-down. I subscribe to the Ben Franklin theory of "Expect the worst. You will never be disappointed, and you may be pleasantly surprised." Still, people are taking photographs of things they want to remember about this place, and doing other such "wrapping up" activities. The bolder ones are naming dates and saying, "You'll see. I've been right about every date so far."

Maybe they have. Who can remember? We've wound ourselves up into advanced states of agitation about so many dates this year it's hard to keep track. It was before Thanksgiving that we first got the word that we could be deployed "at any time." We felt lucky to have Thanksgiving at home, but our happiness was tempered by the thought that we would most likely miss Christmas. Christmas found some of us traveling with a uniform in case we had to make a sudden departure, and starting nervously at every unexpected phone call. But Christmas passed and we went back to work, taking with us new theories about when the call would come. When we finally deployed every day brought new speculation about when the war would start, then about when we would reach Baghdad. For any situation, there is something to be speculated on, and worried about.

Not going home though. Not for me. It's too important a topic to discuss, and besides, I feel a little guilty even considering it while fighting rages on the ground. It hums beneath the surface though, like an electric current. The thought of seeing my wife and children makes my heart race. It has the power to distract me completely from whatever task is at hand, and to be perfectly honest, it brings tears to my eyes. So I keep it carefully in check. Dreams can't be helped though, and when I dream, I am home wrestling with the kids, enjoying the contentment that comes only in the company of my wife.

When our work is done, we will be home. That is all I need to know. In the meantime I will content myself with working hard, painting when I can, and writing you these notes. Thanks for reading them.

Steven

The war has led to a huge appetite for information. But who is best served - those who get their information from newspapers, TV, or the web? Jakob Nielsen - a persistent critic of websites - says in this war, internet news users might just have the edge.

BBC

Footage of coalition troops inside one of Saddam Hussein's presidential palaces has been beamed around the world.

Ananova

From Bloomberg

London, April 7 (Bloomberg) -- Crude oil fell to near a five- month low as allied forces moved into central Baghdad, helping to bring closer a resumption of Iraqi exports just as production shutdowns end in Nigeria.

Quoted from Noah Shachtman at Defense Tech:

Marines fighting around Baghdad are "starting to doubt the seriousness of the chem-bio (weapon) threat," and are sick of wearing the suits designed to protect them against such dangers, according to Army Times.

It's been widely reported that the MOPP ("Mission-Oriented, Protective-Posture") gear makes the desert heat even worse. What's less known is how the clumsy, charcoal-lined suits are turning relatively routine acts into major productions.

"The Marines’ trousers don’t even have a zipper, turning a simple bathroom break into a nightmare of untucking and unbuckling," the paper says.

Sky News>> Baghdad is being bombarded by Coalition strike jets after US forces launched a lightening strike on the capital.

As well as attacks on the centre of city, troops are engaging Saddam Hussein's soldiers in combat on the banks of the river Tigris and in residential areas.

David Chater, Sky's reporter in Baghdad, told how the city was covered by "the fog of war".

From CBS Marketwatch

Dow, Nasdaq blast off at the open.

Percentage Gains Top 2.5%

Christopher Allbritton - from Back2Iraq - has just sent in this e-mail report by satellite phone, from Northern Iraq: "A little more information and clarification on the "blue on blue" (friendly fire) incident yesterday in Iraqi Kurdistan. Twenty-two Kurdish fighters and five Special Forces died. Forty-five peshmergas were wounded, including Wazeri Barzani, a brother of KDP president Massoud Barzani. The attack happened not because of the capture of Iraqi tanks, as early reports from Fawzi Hariri said yesterday, but because a Special Forces commander in the attacked convoy called in air strikes on a nearby Iraqi tank column and the American pilots hit the convoy by mistake.

Chirac: Last Days of Grace?
From BusinessWeek:
Although France's tough position has won plaudits in Arab and African nations, that is unlikely to translate to a tidal wave of contracts for French businesses. The lion's share of France's external trade is with Europe and North America. Few French outfits are excited about redirecting business toward impoverished nations. "Chirac has won over the South," says Jean-Paul Betbeze, chief economist at Crédit Lyonnais. "But so what?"

Says Israeli DM Shaul Mofaz, especially to Israel. He says Saddam may do somethig irrational "with his back against the wall". at the same time lowering the level of alert in Israel is contemplated. (IDF radio).

IDF radio headline says "Scuds", but the report itself quotes Vincent Brooks as saying that most of the missiles are short-range al-Samud. He is also quoted as saying that the movement of the Iraqi forces in the West are blocked.

Basra exacts some justice...from the Times of London:

Some [Fedayin] tried in vain to flee as civilians from the nearby Shia Flats slum poured on to the streets in support of the British attack. Some shouted and cheered, greeting the British soldiers with waves, thumbs up and smiles.

Others wrought vengeance upon their oppressors, surrounding and attacking the fleeing Fedayin. A crowd descended upon one paramilitary, striking furiously at him and departed, leaving his lifeless body on the street.

Walla, citing Times, says that the general is cooperating. If he accepts the deal, he will be transferred to UK and given a new identity.

Update: Times has the headline - registration required for the full article.

Walla (Haaretz).

Robert Fisk reports:

...the American mission, whatever its original intention, was a failure. Their tank column did not "break into" the city as the Anglo-American headquarters originally stated. Iraqi resistance turned it back...

...So in military terms – and despite all the waffle from the Americans about the "success" of the aborted US incursion – the Iraqis have so far held their ground in the Battle of Baghdad...

Reported earlier: A Fox engineer on the seen said that it sounded like a low-flying jet, turned out that it was a missile attack. Building was set on fire, people were rescued. Facility was a military "nerve center" for the operation. He said it was believed it was an enemy missile attack, but couldn't say definitely that it wasn't friendly fire.

UPDATE:Ben Johnson, satellite technician from Fox, is live on air confirming that the two soldiers and two journalists - one Spanish, one German -were killed by an Iraqi missile.

MSNBC has the story so far.

A possible weapons of mass destruction storage site has been found near Baghdad, according to a US military official.

There are unconfirmed reports there could be Sarin - a chemical agent that causes death by suffocation -at the site south of the central Iraqi town of Hindiyah, a US military officer said.

"Our detectors have indicated something," said Major Ros Coffman, public affairs officer with the US 3rd Infantry.

"We're talking about finding a site of possible WMD storage. This is an initial report, but it could be a smoking gun.

Updated Sky News story

(Reuters) - U.S. Marines said they had managed to cross a river tributary to the east of Baghdad on Monday despite damage inflicted on two bridges by Iraqis trying to slow their advance toward the capital. "Elements of the 7th Marine are now on the western side of the Nahr Diyala River," Lt. Lew Craparotta told Reuters correspondent Sean Maguire.

Secretary-General Kofi Annan has asked to meet the U.N. Security Council on Monday to discuss the situation in Iraq.

The meeting comes after Annan talked separately with all 191 member states last week, and discussed the humanitarian situation in the war-torn country and the U.N.'s role in its reconstruction.

After meeting the Arab Group on Tuesday, Annan said there was "lots of unhappiness" about the U.S.-led war and that Arab nations would like to see greater U.N. efforts to bring about a cease-fire.

Elite soldiers from the British Parachute Regiment have been sent in to Basra to clear paramilitaries and fedayeen fighters from the city.

At least 500 paras, from the regiment's 3rd Battalion, are carrying out operations in the narrow streets of the city's old town.

Breaking news on Fox attributed to Reuters. They also said there were 15 wounded and that the journalists killed were Spanish and German.

Here is the Reuters story, but with no specific mention of the journalists.

UPDATE: A Fox News engineer on the scene said that it sounded like a low-flying jet, turned out that it was a missile attack. Building was set on fire, people were rescued. Facility was a military "nerve center" for the operation. He said it was believed it was an enemy missile attack, but couldn't say definitely that it wasn't friendly fire.

British Tabloid Front Page:

WELCOME TO BASRA
Iraqis hail Brits as they take city.

AP via Boston.com>> Iraqis went on a looting rampage Monday, hauling furniture and carpets out of the state bank and a western hotel as British troops took control of Iraq's second largest city after weeks of patient siege.

Basra residents were seen streaming out of the Central Bank of Iraq with their arms full of looted items - chairs, tables, carpets and other items out of the building and loading them onto donkey- and horse-drawn carts, or stuffing the goods into cars.

At the nearby Sheraton Hotel, people loaded up carts, junked vehicles and any other transport they could find with chairs, sofas even the grand piano that had been in the hotel lobby. Residents were seen pushing the piano down the street. Smoke rose from the hotel after it was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade.

British soldiers ordered people to leave the hotel and blocked the entrance after the looting was discovered.

DOHA, April 7. A large consignment of food and medicine for local residents has been delivered to Basra, Iraq's second largest city. The consignment was delivered this morning, as the city is now under the control of the US-led coalition. The delivery was confirmed to Rosbalt by the US Central Command in Doha, Qatar. According to official sources, field hospitals have already been set up in the city, and staff are now giving medical help to residents injured during US bombing raids.

MSNBC >>NASSIRIYA, Iraq, April 7 — U.S. Marine commanders have said they fear Iraqi fighters are trying to infiltrate the U.S.-occupied southern city of Nassiriya to make a last stand.

''They are trying some coordinated six-to-eight man attacks (against) our units manning the periphery of the city,'' Captain Rick Crevier, commander of a Marine company in the city, told Reuters on Sunday night.

He said some of the Fedayeen fighters were trying to infiltrate U.S. lines in the backs of ambulances.

A US officer said a possible weapons of mass destruction storage site has been found in Central Iraq.

The facility is being checked by military bio and chem weapons experts.

"Our detectors are indicating something," Ross Kaufman, a spokesman with the third infantry. This is near the town of Hindya.

From Fox News broadcast quoting Reuters

Sky News link without much more info

According to Fox News, an American flag was almost raised over Saddam's presidential palace, but the soldiers changed their minds, thinking better of the message it would send.

The soldiers, however, according to Fox, helped themselves to souvenirs from the palace -- ashtrays, etc. And they used the bathroom.

Fox just quoted Reuters as reporting that the British military has announced that they are "in Basra to stay."

There have been mixed messages as to whether this thrust into downtown Baghdad was a raid or a significant military move. Centcom and the Pentagon have been calling it "a show of force" over the past few hours. Greg Kelly of Fox, though, just asked the commanders he is with point-blank whether they were withdrawing, and they said "they are not leaving anytime soon."

This seems like a wise decision. The Sky and BBC reporters in the Iraqi-controlled part of Baghdad, sounding worried, have been saying that a U.S. withdrawal from downtown will send a terrible message to Baghdad residents and allow the regime and fedayeen to claim they are retreating and regain power.

From Reuters:
US Tanks Thrust Into Baghdad, Iraqis Fight Back
UK Officers Say Body of 'Chemical Ali' Found - Sky
Two Marines Killed in Battle of Bridges by Baghdad

From UPI:
Inroads in Baghdad, Basra
The Anglo-American alliance wins again

From IRNA:
USWAR/Iraqi civil administration to be announced on Tuesday: report
USWAR/Basra in full control of British forces
USWAR/Iraqi forces down reconnaissance plane
USWAR/Russian ambassador wounded in attack on Russian diplomats

From ITAR-TASS:
Russian Foreign Ministry raises question of incident culprits.
US troops seize palace
Dead body of Ali Hasan al-Majeed found in Basra
Georgia offers help in post-war restoration of Iraq

From Gulf Daily News (Bahrain):
SHOWDOWN!
AL QAEDA TERROR CAMP 'LINK TO SADDAM'
TROOPS RING BAGHDAD

From Sky News:
TRAVEL BAN ON BAGHDAD
'IRAQI GENERAL GIVEN AMNESTY'

For those waking up and catching up, here is this morning's Washington Post wrap-up story, of this long, busy morning (night in the United States.)

USA Today - Controversial exile to help allies

"Ahmad Chalabi, leader of the opposition Iraqi National Congress, flew from northern Iraq to Nasiriyah on Saturday aboard a C-17 transport plane that the U.S. Air Force provided."

Fox's Greg Kelly, describing his tour of Saddam's presidential palace -- once luxurious and opulent and now quite battered and full of debris -- told viewers that he got a peek at the Iraqi leader's DVDs and mentioned that "Pulp Fiction" was among his collection.

At the same time, a CNN News reporter gave a video tour of Saddam's Basra palace, full of intricately carved woodwork, gold-plated bathroom fixtures and amazing views -- on one side a view of the harbor and on the other, a view of downtown Basra. As the reporter noted, as with all prime real estate, it's about "Location, location, location."

Both homes were full of marble, high ceilings, ornate chandeliers, etc, as Kelly said, "a typical millionaire's mansion." Fox anchors are saying that the soldiers have been taking souvenires -- ashtrays, pillows, etc. and using the bathrooms.

Fox News site has pictures, video

Centcom is putting out the word to all of the news outlets that Baghdad is completely "isolated" -- they aren't using the words "sealed off." But they say that every artery in and out of the city are subject to coalition checkpoints.

Sky News is reporting that 2 U.S. Marines were killed, up to 6 injured in the Baghdad fighting, apparently while trying to cross a bridge in the southeast part of the city.

UPDATE: Fox is now saying that the soldiers were killed during an assault on a "communications center."

Here is Fox News report of the taking of Saddam Hussein's presidential palace in Baghdad, complete with photos of Greg Kelly in front of it.

The Pentagon is still careful to call the raid "a show of force" and "a demonstration of power" and not a full-scale battle or invasion.

From MSNBC Army Finds secret room at airport

A general overview of the airport and the first incursion into Baghdad.

"...a VIP terminal that contains what U.S. soldiers suspect was a hideaway for President Saddam Hussein. Elaborately appointed, it has a thick hand-carved mahogany door, gold-plated bathroom fixtures and a veranda opening onto a rose garden. But its most intriguing feature is a wood-paneled office with a false door that leads to a basement room. There, troops of Grimsley’s Army brigade found weapons, but they believe there is something more: a secret exit. "

Sounds like something straight out of Ian Fleming to me.

According to this:

Sporadic armed clashes broke out between Baghdad people and pro-Saddam Iraqi army following the US ground strikes on the capital.... According to IRNA correspondent Baghdad residents particularly in three areas of the city who were under heavy pressure of Baath's army forces and Saddam's Fedayeen over recent months, clashed with Saddam forces... During the clashes, Baghdad people killed at least 35 soldiers and Saddam's supporters while Iraqi soldiers attacked houses in the city and killed or wounded a large number of people

According to this:

One hundred of Iraqi soldiers have surrendered to the Kurdish forces during a conflict in northern Iraq on Sunday, the Kurdistan TV satellite channel said on Monday.... "The Iraqi forces, including two commanders, 46 soldiers, 45 NCOs and seven high-ranking officers, have yielded to the Kurdistan
Democratic Party forces in frontier of Pir Dawud region near Arbil and Mosul..."

The article 'Ansar Fighters Surrender to Kurds' has more information, including on Iran's "crucial role in squeezing Ansar militants by preventing them from crossing the border."

For a previous post on Iran closing its border, see "Under U.S. Pressure, Syria and Iran Seal Borders With Iraq -- for Now"

The Washington Post's Anthony Shadid describes the confusing life of Baghdad residents over the past 48 hours.

After days of an unrelenting exodus, the government declared that no one could leave Baghdad between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., and the streets were deserted by nightfall. Phone lines that went dead because of U.S. airstrikes last week remained down, and the government has warned of severe penalties if Iraqis are found with satellite phones it believes can be used for spying. A blackout has left swaths of the city without water and sanitation.

"Everybody has run away," said an elderly doctor in the upscale district of Mansour. "Everybody has run away from Baghdad."

BBC Baghdad Map

A fairly straightforward map but quite striking in the half circle of control that the US has created around the west of Baghdad.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. military operation underway in Baghdad is a "show of force" that sends a powerful message to the Iraqi regime but not necessarily the much anticipated "battle for Baghdad," a Pentagon official said on Monday.
"This was a show of force, an operation designed to demonstrate U.S. resolve that involves increased visibility of U.S. forces," a spokesman told reporters.

"It sends a powerful message to the regime that we can go wherever we want when we want" but calling it the "battle for Baghdad is a hyperbole that is not appropriate at this point," he said.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the ground commander of U.S. troops that took control of President Saddam Hussein's main presidential palace had various options and it could not be known how the operation might unfold.

A show of force is usually a raid and temporary in nature but the commander would determine the course of the operation according to events on the ground, the Pentagon spokesman said.

Full Reuters story

Sky: US forces are "committing suicide" by attacking Baghdad, according to Iraq's information minister.

Here is the Sky News story on the bizarre Iraqi Information Minister's appearance on the street, liveblogged in rawer form below.

Here is the full AP story (no link yet)

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraq's information minister Monday denied U.S. troops had stormed Baghdad, declaring: "Be assured Baghdad is safe, secure and great."

"They are sick in their minds. They say they brought 65 tanks into center of city. I say to you this talk is not true. This is part of their sick mind," Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf said. "There is no presence of American infidels in the city of Baghdad at all."

Sahhaf, at a rooftop news conference amid a crowd of foreign reporters, said amid sirens and clouds of dusts that Saddam Hussein's forces had given invading coalition forces "poison and bitterness."

"Their forces committed suicide by the hundreds. ... The battle is very fierce and God made us victorious. The fighting continues," he said. "Yesterday, we slaughtered them and we will continue to slaughter them."

Sahhaf said coalition forces pushed one of the armored carriers and tanks into the city and "we killed most of them and we will get of rid of them soon. Baghdad will be their graveyard."

Reacting to reports that the U.N. Security Council was to meet Monday, he called on the United Nations to denounce the war "before the United Nations becomes a place for prostitution under the feet of the Americans."

- Associated Press

Here is the CNN wrap-up of the move into central Baghdad and the storming of the palace.

Fox just showed about ten minutes of video taken today of the inside of one of Saddam's palaces. It was quite ornate, gold and gilt all over the place. Pictures of Saddam in many places. Spiral staircases, large pillars, gilded ceilings, etc.

Overall, pretty disgusting. I hope the Colonel did get his shower in there. The bathroom had a gold lined mirror, gold fixtures on toilet, sink and bidet. Shower not visible.

Here's a timeline of the copious overnight information for our Morning readers:

(All times EDT)

=See extended entry for timeline==

Approximately 1200 began getting indications that some sort of activity was kicking off near Baghdad - reports of aircraft and a Predator overhead

Shortly after, sketchy videophone from FOX correspondant Greg Kelly indicating that elements of the 3d ID were rolling into downtown Baghdad from the area of the airport. Kelly reported passing the parade grounds, enroute to a Presidential Palace compound.

By 0045 EDT, a number of video sources were showing increased activity across the Euphrates in the area of the governmental compunds. Several Correspondents reported hearing increased explosions and firing sounds coming from that area, and sighting numerous smoke plumes. The 3d ID was in the process of moving 65 M1A1 tanks and 40 Fighting Vehicles into the city in what CENTCOM would later describe as a 'raid'

Around 0100 EDT, FOX Correspondant Greg Kelly began broadcasting live from the front lawn of one of Saddam's Palaces, describing arriving a few minutes earlier after encountering moderate resistance. Kelly interviewed Col David Perkins, in command of the task force, live from the Palace Lawn at 0115.

By 0130, US Flags were clearly visible from the opposite side of the Euphrates. A comment from a US LtCol - We own it.

At 0200, the Pentagon and the CENTCOM Headquarters at Qatar were issuing statements that this was not a move to seize and hold territory, but an armed incursion.

At 0230, a US 3d ID M1A1 Main Battle Tank named "Courtesy of the Red White, and Blue" fired a single shot which destroyed a very large statue of Saddam Hussein on a Horse near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in ?Zara? Park, obliterating it.

Within minutes, by 0235EDT, the Iraqi Information Minister held a Press Conference, probably on the roof or a balcony of the Palestine Hotel, and claimed that Iraqi defenders were wiping out the Coalition invaders. He denied categorically that Coalition forces had taken one of the Palaces, or the Information Ministry, or the Al Rasheed hotel, all the while looking furtively in the direction of the action, less than a kilometer away across the river. At several points, his translator appeared to somewhat crack up and chuckle.

Informed that the Information Minister was holding a press conference, the 3d ID troopers expressed an interest in stopping by to visit before it was over. The event was, however, being hels on the opposite side of the river, which the 3d ID apparently did not attempt to cross.

Simultaneously, British Forces were active mopping up Ba'athists in Basra, and elements of the 1 MEF were pushing from the southeast of the city, looking for a crossing on the Tigris.

At about 0300, news was released that 4 Marines were KIA when their Armored vehicle apparently took a direct hit from some sort of artillery fire.

The announcement of the discovery and identification of Chemical Ali's body hit the wires at around 0315.

FOX correspondent Oliver North checked in at around 0405AM, reporting that the Airfiled at Salman Pac was taken by the Marines, and a number of foriegn fighters were identified among the enemy dead. From Yemen, Syria, Iran. Also, confirmed killed was the Chief of Staff for the Special Republican Guard.

Fairly slow news night.....

Reporting live that the Chief of the Special Republican Guards is confirmed KIA. He also reports that at Salman Pac Airfield, which is under coalition control, many foriegn fighters were taken out - Iranian, Yemeni, Syrian...

Indicates that Marines are Scouting for alternate Tigris crossing points due to damaged bridgeheads

According to the ticker on MSNBC, US Forces are at the Information Ministry and Al-Rashid hotel. According to the commentator, they are "in the neighborhood" but not in control of or occupying either building.

From a big picture, this is an armored raid through the heart of the city.

The goal of this is to bring down the entire regime.

See extended remarks for further notes -

Tough to characterize the resistance, one good way is to look at the incredible imbed reports. Hopefully this will dampen the war of words. We should temper down our enthusiasm, this isn't over, may be some tough days to follow. This isn't over

Remark on Info minister statement: I guess what I would say is its a little sad. A lot of the things he's said have not been true. From what you've seen today we're one step closer

I don't know why he's been saying what he's said over the past few days. Sad to see. He is one of the leadership positions, he knows his days are numbered.

How do you keep a city like that from descending into chaos?

Thats a very important aspect. best way is for the Iraqi regime is to look around and see this is fruitless, they need to give up. Humanitarian assistance is flowing in. Food is on the way. The near term future is that it is in the hands of the regime, they need to step aside.

Do the Special Republican Guard still exist? Several divisions are no longer effective units. We still see some remnants, but the real story is what the soldiers of the V Corps and the Marines have done moving through them. There may be some tough battles ahead.

Is there no longer a chem threat? I don't have a report on that. On scene commander balances the health welfare and safety of his troops. Those decisions are at the field level

Is there still the chem bio threat? Until this regime is gone there is a possibility, it is obvious to them that there days are numbered so we aren't out of the woods

What is the plan if we catch one of them (Saddam or sons)? Those discussions will be handled by State etc. The one thing we want to make clear to them we are looking for their clear and absolute surrender.

But we aren't there yet, those troops are proud, we need to look at this as one step

Is this the battle for Baghdad? No, I wouldn't call it that, its another armored raid against the regime

Goal of Baghdad - not to take ground

Body of Chemical Ali has been Found - per Brits

Fox alert: Body of Saddam cousin "Chemical Ali" found in Basra.

AP - Ali found dead

BASRA, Iraq - Ali Hassan al-Majid, dubbed "Chemical Ali" by opponents of the Iraqi regime for ordering a poison gas attack that killed thousands of Kurds, has been found dead, a British officer said Monday.

Maj. Andrew Jackson of the 3rd Battalion Parachute Regiment told The Associated Press that his superiors had confirmed the death of the man who is also President Saddam Hussein's first cousin.

According to Fox correspondent in Qatar

FOX news crawl just indicated 4 Marines KIA in the armored vehicle crossing a Canal heading into Baghdad

Greg Kelly reports that the 3d ID officers were monitoring via cellphone 'Baghdad Bob's' (information Minister) press conference, and are very curious about where he is...

Comment - ITS THE PALESTINE HOTEL!

"Courtesy of the Red White, and Blue"

Greg Kelly asks 'whats all that noise?'

Oh, our tanks are engaging theat artillery unit and some BMPs and technicals...

this.is.intense

Greg Kelly of Fox interviewed a soldier during the Iraqi info minister's press conference and told him that the Iraqis were denying that he was there. The soldier pointed and said, "Oh, well, he's right across the street, we're going to have to go talk to him."

Greg Kelly just asked the 3d ID guys about what they thought of the Info Minister's statements statements

"well he's right across the street, lets go ask him...."

Wonder if the FOX crew can pass to Greg Kelly where the info ministry jerk is, so the 3ID guys can go over and join in the Q&A session...

It's not a raid. UK troops are moving in to large parts of Basra, and coming to stay, according to reports on BBC World.
Resistance has been described as "Unco-ordinated, Scattered, Hair-Raising". It is street-fighting, but the UK forces are fighting mainly from AFVs that appear to be pretty well protected from RPGs.

They say that they are in Central Baghdad. This is not true. This is from their sick minds.They say they have 65 tanks, this is not true. They were fed poison by the brave forces of Saddam Hussein. They are beginning to commit suicide at the walls of Baghdad. We fed them yesterday hell and death. The killing yesterday will give a lesson to the mercenaries and war criminals residing in Washington and London. The battle was fierce, and the Iraqis came out victorious and the battle is still ongoing on the fronts. I commend the soldiers and the Baathists and the civilians coming from their house with their machine guns. To reporters: Verify what you are hearing, don't repeat what you are hearing. I blame Al-Jazeera, because it repeats what the Americans are saying before it verifies the news.

Kofi Annan had better condemn the violence, or the UN will become a place of prostitution.

Embed Greg Kelly in Baghdad: On Iraqi National Parade grounds... I see no Iraqi vehicles... Hey Guys.. Misnister of Info says that you guys aren't here... what do you say?

Soldier: We are across the street from the Minister of Information we'll go pay him a visit.

Kelly: Really?

Soldier: Yeah -- he's across the street

Anchor: Waht are the explosions?

Soldier: That's our tanks... there are still bad guys around...

[earlier]
Signal went out

Switch to video of....

Video of Saddam Hussein on a horse. Coalition forces blew up statue.

You will see this in other CP entries... I have not deleted it

Meanwhile "Baghdad Bob" - Minister of Information is on TV ranting, claiming that Iraqi forces winning. For some reason he is not broadcasting from his usual studio. (Split Screen shows Saddam's main palace, a few blocks away from Ministery of Information studio from embed feed)...Washington and London...have thrown their soldiers on the fire...God will blow them to hell...this is an Arabic statement... battle was fierce... God has ...Iraqis have come out voctorious... battle is raging... you were our guests and our friends... Baghdad is safe and solid... they told you they took Hotel Rashid and Ministry of Information compound... I'm here...

On Fox - Iraqi Info minister claims they've slaughtered 3/4 of the invaders

They say they've entered with 65 tanks, this is not true

They tried to come in and to pass, they were surrounded and dealt with and the columns were slaughtered....

//I can't keep this up...this guy is way, way whacked out//

We fed them a taste of poison, you can record me saying that, they are committing suicide on the walls of Baghdad, I encourage them to increase the pace, those mercenaries, I swear by God, the one that have stayed in Washingtom and London, have thrown their soldiers into the fire. Their hands will burn by god. Those war criminals that live in Washington and London. The battle was fierce and God has ... their soldiers. Iraqis have been vioctorious

Baghdad is safe, and solid and the Iraqis are heros. They told you they took the Al Rasheed regretably that is not true

//it seems like the translator is cracking up at this//

//enough of this....

"US troops were slaughtered" "They have been poisoned" "They have committed suicide"

Ok...

For those watching the Iraqi disInformation Minister, be advised that he is standing on the same low roof as all of the web cams, part of the Palestine hotel. He is about 20 feet from the German camera referenced a few articles below.

For those watching the Iraqi disInformation Minister, be advised that he is standing on the same low roof as all of the web cams, part of the Palestine hotel.

So far, he's denying everything of course.

"This is part of their sick minds. There are no American troops in Baghdad. Never. They tried."

They tried to penetrate with armored personnel carriers but they were surrounded and destroyed. The soldiers of Saddam Hussein have taught them a lesson they will never forget.

He won't report the number of the people killed because the battles are still going on.

They are commiting suicide on the walls of Baghdad. We encourage them to continue commiting suicide.

The killing they have witnessed yesterday will give a lesson to those merecenaries.

...

The battle was very fierce and God has made the Iraqi soldiers victorious.

...

Sorry if the sound of bullets disturbed you. We had to shoot the American soldiers.

...

I ask you to check yourself, just check. Do not repeat their lies. It is in fact marketing for the Americans. Look for the truth, I am telling you and all I ask you to do is check.

I told you yesterday how they ran away from the airport. What did they do? They sent their occupying soldiers just to show this place was used by Saddam Hussein. This shows you how cheap they are.

...

BBC: What about the battle taking place less than 1/2 mile from here?
Al-Sahaf: "A few" tanks and APC's came in. They will be slaughtered. THey have no control even on themselves.

Fox has Iraqi info minister prepping to speak

I can't wait to hear this

OOOOOO!!! they just trashed one of the big Saddam on the horse statues!

Sky reporter live on Fox indicates there are rumors of a Marine column approaching from the other direction. Reports a thrust coming from the Northwest also.

Indicates that Iraqis on his side of the river are still 'in control'

//Greg Kelly breaks in - broken signal reporting from Parade Grounds near the Palace - no Iraqi vehicles in sight

Ron Martz of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution is embedded with the 3ID. They're in a symbolic park in central Baghdad (it contains the tomb of the unknown soldier and is near the parade ground where troop reviews are held). He reports that Army engineers are planning to blow up a 30-40' statue of Saddam on a horse.
Update: The statue is down. The park is the Zara(?) park.

Fox reporting that Reuters reporting that Iraqis still 'firmly in control' of Foriegn Ministry and other buildings very proximate to the Palace that was taken

BBC webcast news is citing CENTCOM statements urging caution, that they may not be holding positions.

"Reserving their options"

CENTCOM is now describing the current battles as an Incursion rather than an attempt to take and hold ground.

"It's to show we can go anywhere we want, any time we want."

Rock soup tactics.

Live web cam on the river across from the Palace is here. Scenes change from time to time, looks south, looks west.

Capt. Carter said, "We just took down the regime, that's the history here, we took down the regime and brought freedom to the Iraqis."

Colonel David Perkins said the support from home, the US support for troops, is what keeps the soldiers going - that, and concern for their fellow soldiers. He said it several times, just how important the support from home is.

"I asked a Baghdad resident in my broken Arabic, is this bad or good?"

"He gave a thumbs up, 'Americans good!'"

BBC World TV showed shots of pairs of US attack helos flying over Baghdad. Civilians looking on in some trepidation and surprise.

The officer just talking on FoxNews made the point that there've been "very few" civilian casualties, that even today during the fire fight you'd hear "cease fire, cease fire, it's a civilian!" That's the message the world needs to take home.

UPDATE: The officer speaking is Colonel David Perkins, 2nd Brigade Commander, 3rd Infantry Division.

2 Bradley AFVs involved in low-intensity firefight with some Iraqi positions . Some 25mm fire. BBC showed US troops disembarking into bushland alongside. Some 20-30 Iraqis in dark uniforms, though one in underclothes, seen running from the vicinity about 300m away NOT repeat NOT with any weapons. Others still occupying trenches.

UPDATE : BBC military analyst now making explicit comparisons with Nazi Volksturm in WW2, old men and boys with Panzerfausts (primitive RPGs) faced with overwhelming force. Others are starting to say "this is the tipping point".

Live report on Fox

Saddam says he owns it, wrong, we own it. We own his houses, we own his doentown, we own his hotels, we own his monuments.

We're not here to raise flags, we're here to free the Iraqi people.

Now, I'm going to take a shower in Saddam's bathroom....

And that wasn't a battle flag - it was a University of Georgia Flag!

Kuwait isn't happy about Arab support for Saddam, as evidenced by what they see of the war on Arab satellite TV.

"Some Arab channels are not showing the good, they do not show when the Americans bring help to the Iraqi people. They show just one side," says Balqis Aziz, who joined up to 2,000 other Kuwaitis at an open air meeting to reaffirm their support for the efforts to unseat Saddam Hussein. . . . Criticism from fellow Arabs is particularly hard to swallow, say some Kuwaitis, because of the aid this oil-rich emirate has given to its regional neighbours and its short, but bloody, experience of rule by Saddam Hussein during the Gulf War.

Sky news reporter sees US Flag raised across the river. Reports US in control of two bridges. Reports Iraqis still digging in on his side of the river.

"There is no escaping the message now"

65 Tanks, 40 Fighting Vehicles involved.

No US casualties so far

60 Tanks, 40 some armored vehicles in the op.

Military reporting they've seized the Palace.

"Somebody shot at the tank...dumb move"

since the posts are flying freely, might as well nominate Greg Kelly for an Emmy. Others may have decent camera angles on the action; Greg is in the action.

Come to think of it, take Michael Moore's Oscar and give it to Greg.

How's the Iraqi Information Minister going to explain this one?

"The infidels DID NOT broadcast from Saddam's Front Yard!"

BBC livecam still shows almost normality, but the crump of artillery is interspersed with the crack of direct fire. It's close enough and loud enough now to set off car alarms, so within 1km.

Live with Greg Kelly from a Presidential palace.......interviewing a 3rd ID Col. They have an entire brigade in the center of Baghdad securing key points.

Live on Fox - reports other units securing other sites.

Room to room searches. Reports walking around inside the palace, and its damaged. Light resistance getting into the Palace.

14 July monument, taking the bridge over the Tigris to the Peninsula. Reporting control of the center of the city.

Interviewing COL David Perkins, commanding the task force.

FoxNews reporter Greg Kelly is reporting right now standing in front of Saddam's main palace in Baghdad, which coalition soldiers have surrounded. They've taken a number of other important or symbolic sites as well. He's interviewing an officer who says they've "taken the heart of Baghdad".

Sky reporter doing live report on Fox (recently put on his flak jacket) reports sound of a rolling firefight headed towards his location. Reports sounds of fighting drawing near to a bridge over the Tigris. He's considering taking cover as the battle gets closer....ther he goes for cover.

Al Jazeera streaming video -
Tanks making a charge now, shot is from across the river

Here’s a lengthy handbook released by the US military entitled “Multiservice Procedures for Aviation Urban Operations” (PDF).

A detailed guide to the principals that are presumably at work right now in the skies over Baghdad in providing troops Close Air Support.

BBC Reporter in a hotel in central Baghdad reports 2 US AFVs now visible from the hotel. Battle is ongoing, mortar round landing. This is in the heart of Baghdad.

UPDATE : MSNBC is still showing normal programming. BBC report clearly had mortar round landing in background, small arms fire. Reporter coughing from Oil-smoke (I hope)

UPDATE: Battle started approx 50 minutes ago.

US forces have seized a palace, the information ministry, and the Al Rasheed hotel. German reporter on telephone link has the Americans in sight across the river.

No confirmation yet. Source : BBC World TV

Fox is quoting Army sources as saying this is the 'start of the battle of Baghdad'

F-15E visible making ground attack pass on live cam shot. Took some feed from Sky news reporter describing columns of smoke off to the wet. Sounds of explosions in the background.

From this:

[The] elderly Iraqi man walked gingerly towards the checkpoint set up by Royal Marines on the outskirts of Basra. As he got closer to the troops they warily fixed their gun barrels on the shuffling figure in front of them.

Holding his hands in the air he shouted out in English: "Please, please. Surrender, surrender." He looked like just another fighter - until he dropped five grenades on the floor...

BBC World TV is reporting that a column (size unknown) of US AFVs is attacking one of Saddam's "Smaller Palaces" 3 km east of the Airport.

This article from a radio hobbyist website has an interesting, detailed background on the U.S.'s psyops efforts, mainly concentrating on the technology involved.

Fox News [TV] has great live coverage with embedded reporter Greg Kelley! Warthogs flying cover for troops at one of the Presidential palaces.

At least two A-10 Warthogs can now be seen over Baghdad, without any sign of Triple-A. Gen. Don Shepard is describing the sounds heard on CNN as machine gun fire.

UPDATE: Main tank fire is now being heard.

US Major Michael Birmingham, via Reuters and CNN: "Yesterday was just an incursion... this is for real."

Sketchy report from FoxNews' Greg Kelly, embedded with the 3rd ID, that elements of that unit are moving toward the center of Baghdad.

UPDATE: Kelly now saying they are in downtown Baghdad. Near parade grounds surrounding a palace. Resistance light to heavy; heaviest resistance downtown . . . Cut off after that.