U.S. Forces Close in on Baghdad

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Posted 5:26AM on Wednesday, April 2, 2003

Closing in on Baghdad itself, U.S. forces Wednesday seized a bridge over the Tigris River and swept past battered Republican Guard units. The Army's 3rd Infantry Division and the First Marine Expeditionary Corps both reported breakthroughs as some units entered the so-called "red zone" within 50 miles of the capital. U.S. officials say Iraqi resistance will be most tenacious in this zone and have warned of the possible use of chemical weapons. In an attack launched at midnight, 3rd Infantry units surged past the strategic city of Karbala, targeting an estimated 2,000 paramilitary fighters. Karbala, which sits on the main approach to Baghdad from the southwest, was encircled and hit by night-long bombardment from U.S. artillery and warplanes. To the east, thousands of Marines were moving against the city of Kut after capturing an important bridge over the Tigris River. The fall of Kut would open up a key highway approach to Baghdad from the southeast. The Republican Guard's Medina Division around Karbala and its Baghdad Division around Kut are among the main military forces in the way of an American advance on Baghdad. U.S. defense officials say recent airstrikes and artillery barrages have reduced the strength of both divisions by more than 50 percent. "We are aware of where the Republican Guard was positioned; we have engaged them and are into their area," said a U.S. Central Command spokesman, Navy Capt. Frank Thorp. "The battle is being waged and we are doing well." The commander of British forces in Iraq, Air Marshal Brian Burridge, confirmed that the latest assaults by his U.S. allies marked the start of a momentous phase. "This is certainly a decisive engagement in which we are now just beginning with the Republican Guard," he said. "The point I would make, though, is that decisive phases often take time. I wouldn't want to give you the impression that within a day or two this is going to be finished." Baghdad again came under intense bombardment Wednesday, and again the Iraqi government responded defiantly. Iraqi satellite television broadcast a statement attributed to Saddam Hussein declaring that "victory is at hand." Saddam did not appear in person. U.S. officials say they are not sure whether is he alive and well, wounded from an air strike on one of his bunkers, or dead.