US: Baghdad division of Republican Guard destroyed

American forces destroyed the Baghdad Division of Iraq’s Republican Guard after crossing the River Tigris in the drive towards the Iraqi capital, US Central Command said today.

The US forces seized the strategic town of Kut, south-east of the capital, and routed the Republican Guard division force that had been guarding the road to Baghdad.

“The Baghdad Division has been destroyed,” said Brig Gen Vincent Brooks.

He said two other Republican Guard divisions had been engaged around Karbala, south-west of Baghdad, and that coalition forces had seized control of a dam on Lake al-Milh.

Some analysts had feared the Iraqis would try to destroy the dam and trap US forces with the resulting flood.