Fabled Arab city prepares for yet another war

PICK-UP trucks mounted with machine guns roam Baghdad streets. Dark grey clouds of smoke from burning fuel darken the sky.

The nights resound with fearsome explosions.

With US forces closing in on the Iraqi capital, this ancient city fabled in Arab history is preparing for another war. Menacing-looking men from the security forces and the feared Ba’ath Party militia patrol in pick-ups with machine guns bolted to the beds. Travellers see troops setting up mortar positions to the south of the city.