US marines in fight with Iraqi troops

US ground troops invaded southern Iraq from Kuwait tonight as bombs fell and immediately got into skirmishes with enemy troops.

Reporters travelling with the 1st Marine Division into Iraq saw burning oil wells that sent a black cloud into the night sky under a nearly full moon.

There were no immediate details on the size and makeup of the entering force, or the location of incursion.

In the hours before crossing the border, the marines put on their full chemical suits – masks, gloves and full combat gear – three times in less than two hours because of Scud missile launches into Kuwait.

US marines opened fire with machine guns on an Iraqi T-55 tank and finally destroyed it with a Javelin, a portable anti-missile.

The border had been breached earlier by British forces. Royal Marine Commandos had crossed into southern Iraq and swept into the Al Faw peninsula.