Elite Iraqi troops move toward Baghdad

TROOPS and equipment from the Iraqi Republican Guard have begun moving south toward Baghdad from their base near Mosul in northern Iraq, US defence officials said yesterday.

The officials, speaking as US and British forces massed in the Gulf for a possible invasion of Iraq, said the purpose of the shift was not clear. It was also not known if the whole division would move, possibly to help defend President Saddam Hussein’s home city of Tikrit or go on to Baghdad.

“It started in the last couple of days and they are in the process of moving now,” said one of the officials, who asked not to be identified.