Telegraph | News | Endgame in Baghdad The advance deep into Baghdad, on only the 17th day of the war, came as The Telegraph learnt that Saddam's youngest son, Qusay, 38, is assuming increased responsibility for control of the war effort amid reports that the ageing Iraqi dictator was "losing his grip".
The Iraqi information minister denied US reports that troops had reached the centre of the capital
Coalition commanders have received intelligence reports suggesting that Saddam, 65, is no longer able to cope with the day-to-day running of his regime. They say Qusay plays an increasingly important role in defending it against the Allies' ferocious assault against Baghdad, a city of five milion people.
"All the indications we have received suggest that Saddam is losing his grip," said a senior officer. "Both his sons, Uday and Qusay, are deeply involved in trying to save the regime. But increasingly it is Qusay who is calling all the shots."
Western intelligence officials now concede that Saddam and his sons survived the attack on the fortified bunker in the southern suburbs of Baghdad on the opening day of the war. Saddam's injuries were understood not to be life threatening and his sons were unharmed. All three members of the ruling family are thought to be directing operations in the Baghdad region.
The Iraqi information minister denied US reports that troops had reached the centre of the capital
Coalition commanders have received intelligence reports suggesting that Saddam, 65, is no longer able to cope with the day-to-day running of his regime. They say Qusay plays an increasingly important role in defending it against the Allies' ferocious assault against Baghdad, a city of five milion people.
"All the indications we have received suggest that Saddam is losing his grip," said a senior officer. "Both his sons, Uday and Qusay, are deeply involved in trying to save the regime. But increasingly it is Qusay who is calling all the shots."
Western intelligence officials now concede that Saddam and his sons survived the attack on the fortified bunker in the southern suburbs of Baghdad on the opening day of the war. Saddam's injuries were understood not to be life threatening and his sons were unharmed. All three members of the ruling family are thought to be directing operations in the Baghdad region.
Comments