THOUSANDS of Marines pushed north toward Baghdad in “seek and destroy” missions yesterday, trying to open the route to the Iraqi capital and stop days of attacks along a stretch that has become known as “Ambush Alley.”

A GENERAL from Saddam Hussein’s army has been captured in southern Iraq and is being pressed to provide strategic information, British officers said yesterday.

A general from Saddam Hussein’s army has been captured in southern Iraq and is being pressed to provide strategic information, British officers said today.

US marines traded fire today with Iraqi forces amid the burning buildings of Nasiriyah, while others pushed north of the strategic city in a grinding bumper-to-bumper movement of weapons and supplies.