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But events in Najaf, 100 miles south of Baghdad, were a sideshow. All eyes were concentrated on the spearheads of the American forces further north. Backed by fearsome and completely unchallenged air power, the US Army's 3rd Infantry Division and the US 1st Marine Expeditionary Force launched a two-pronged attack towards the capital, and both reported breakthroughs.
Vanguard units of the 3rd Infantry were said to be within 20 miles of the city after encircling another Shiashrine town, Karbala, and crossing to the eastern bank of the Euphrates, while the marines were said to be 25 miles away, close to Iraq's other great river, the Tigris, after having captured one of the last bridges at the town of Kut.
The Baghdad Division of the Republican Guard, which was defending Kut, had been "destroyed" in the action, the Americans said. Two huge bombs exploded near Kut, sending mushroom clouds into the sky � perhaps the new (Remember this thing? -redtailblogger) Massive Ordnance Air Burst bomb, the most powerful conventional bomb in history.
The fresh advances along the two rivers, which came after US troops halted their push for the capital for several days to bolster vulnerable supply lines, appeared to be among the swiftest of the war. "The dagger is clearly pointed at the heart of the Baghdad regime and will continue to be pointed at the heart of that regime," Brigadier General Brooks said.
The Iraqi Information Minister, Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf, described reports of US breakthroughs as "an illusion".
>>
At Basra in the south of the country, British military commanders have been for some time in the position the Americans are now seeking at Baghdad � sitting at the city's gates. Yesterday they launched a massive campaign to win over the local population as Allied forces encountered a new wave of resistance from Iraqi troops.
Coalition soldiers came under heavy mortar attack on the edge of Basra, and in response Challenger 2 tanks fired on several buildings believed to be headquarters for Iraqi paramilitaries.
But as the fighting went on an Arabic leaflet drop in the city promised: "This time we won't abandon you." Written around a smiling squaddie shaking hands with an Iraqi, the leaflet declared: "Be patient, together we will win". On the reverse of the A5 leaflet, written in Arabic, a message read: "People of Al Basra, we are here to liberate the people of Iraq. Our enemy is the regime and not the people. We need your help to identify the enemy to rebuild Iraq. English speakers please come forward. We will stay as long as it takes."
The British troops surrounding the city are continuing to tread carefully and have concentrated on establishing strong links with residents. "We'll take our time about liberating Basra," said Group Captain Al Lockwood. "It's important to us that the civilian population is protected and that we reduce the damage to infrastructure as much as possible, but our operations continue."
But events in Najaf, 100 miles south of Baghdad, were a sideshow. All eyes were concentrated on the spearheads of the American forces further north. Backed by fearsome and completely unchallenged air power, the US Army's 3rd Infantry Division and the US 1st Marine Expeditionary Force launched a two-pronged attack towards the capital, and both reported breakthroughs.
Vanguard units of the 3rd Infantry were said to be within 20 miles of the city after encircling another Shiashrine town, Karbala, and crossing to the eastern bank of the Euphrates, while the marines were said to be 25 miles away, close to Iraq's other great river, the Tigris, after having captured one of the last bridges at the town of Kut.
The Baghdad Division of the Republican Guard, which was defending Kut, had been "destroyed" in the action, the Americans said. Two huge bombs exploded near Kut, sending mushroom clouds into the sky � perhaps the new (Remember this thing? -redtailblogger) Massive Ordnance Air Burst bomb, the most powerful conventional bomb in history.
The fresh advances along the two rivers, which came after US troops halted their push for the capital for several days to bolster vulnerable supply lines, appeared to be among the swiftest of the war. "The dagger is clearly pointed at the heart of the Baghdad regime and will continue to be pointed at the heart of that regime," Brigadier General Brooks said.
The Iraqi Information Minister, Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf, described reports of US breakthroughs as "an illusion".
>>
At Basra in the south of the country, British military commanders have been for some time in the position the Americans are now seeking at Baghdad � sitting at the city's gates. Yesterday they launched a massive campaign to win over the local population as Allied forces encountered a new wave of resistance from Iraqi troops.
Coalition soldiers came under heavy mortar attack on the edge of Basra, and in response Challenger 2 tanks fired on several buildings believed to be headquarters for Iraqi paramilitaries.
But as the fighting went on an Arabic leaflet drop in the city promised: "This time we won't abandon you." Written around a smiling squaddie shaking hands with an Iraqi, the leaflet declared: "Be patient, together we will win". On the reverse of the A5 leaflet, written in Arabic, a message read: "People of Al Basra, we are here to liberate the people of Iraq. Our enemy is the regime and not the people. We need your help to identify the enemy to rebuild Iraq. English speakers please come forward. We will stay as long as it takes."
The British troops surrounding the city are continuing to tread carefully and have concentrated on establishing strong links with residents. "We'll take our time about liberating Basra," said Group Captain Al Lockwood. "It's important to us that the civilian population is protected and that we reduce the damage to infrastructure as much as possible, but our operations continue."
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