US forces occupied part of Baghdad’s airport before dawn today, putting them nine miles from the capital after a fierce battle with Iraqi fighters.

Some of Iraq’s best conventional forces have been routed by Allied bombing and ground fighting, but more lie between the advancing American troops and Baghdad, US military officials warned today.

Advancing on Baghdad from both the south-west and the south-east, US troops battled Republican Guard units today and some reports put them within 20 miles of the Iraqi capital.

American forces destroyed the Baghdad Division of Iraq’s Republican Guard after crossing the River Tigris in the drive towards the Iraqi capital, US Central Command said today.