US troops storm into the heart of Baghdad

US troops stormed into the heart of Baghdad yesterday, grabbing two of President Saddam Hussein's palace compounds but losing four dead on the fringes of the capital as Iraqi forces fought back fiercely.

The US military described the assault as a show of force, and not the final attack to take the sprawling city of five million, key prize in a 19-day-old war to oust Saddam.

"The commanders on the ground will make the decisions on what parts of Baghdad they wish to retain control of," US Brigadier General Vincent Brooks told a news conference.