AMERICAN troops carried out a raid near the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk yesterday but a military spokesman denied that a top former deputy of Saddam Hussein was captured during the operation.

Attackers fired mortars toward the US headquarters in Baghdad as Washington’s top soldier in Iraq said insurgents have changed tactics to inflict more damage and casualties on coalition troops while reducing their own.

US forces in Iraq held a ceremony at Saddam Hussein’s former Republican Palace in Baghdad today to mark the second anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

AMERICAN forces have taken into custody Abid Hamid Mahmud al-Tikriti, Saddam's presidential secretary and number four on the US most-wanted list of Iraqi leaders, a US official said yesterday.

Two Iraqi protesters were killed today when US troops opened fire during a demonstration outside the presidential compound in Baghdad.

Iraqi protesters said two people were killed today when US troops opened fire during a demonstration outside the presidential compound in Baghdad.

US troops opened fire today during an Iraqi demonstration outside the main gates of the presidential compound in Baghdad.

IRAQIS dug corpses from a mass grave yesterday and police reappeared in Baghdad, as Iraq grappled with the brutality of Saddam Hussein's rule and the lawless aftermath of the US-led invasion that ended it.

THE US forces chose highly symbolic buildings as the focus for their first armoured raids into Baghdad yesterday, targeting the key symbols of Saddam Hussein’s regime in a dramatic show of military strength.

US AND BRITISH troops continued their advance on Baghdad yesterday after more than 20 coalition soldiers were killed in "the toughest day" of the war so far.

Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein said his country is prepared to defend itself vigorously against any US-led attack.

The vast lawns, portico and grand entrance hall were eerily quiet and empty. No one appeared in the windows. No one was there to smell the rows of pale yellow roses.