US tanks sweep through Baghdad

United States tanks swept through central Baghdad today laying waste to defending Iraqi forces in what commanders said was a “message” to their opponents.

A column of armoured vehicles drove to within a few miles of one of Saddam’s Presidential Palaces as other troops moved to encircle the capital.

Soldiers on what was the first ground push into Baghdad reported “fierce firefights” with paramilitaries and Special Republican Guards and one commander said 1,000 Iraqi fighters had been killed.

They faced rocket propelled grenades and small pick-up trucks which the Iraqi forces attempted to ram into the allied armoured vehicles in suicidal attacks. They also turned anti-aircraft guns on the US tanks.

The 3rd Infantry moved at least 25 tanks, supported by Bradley fighting vehicles, northwards into the city along a dual carriageway, leaving burning Iraqi vehicles in their wake.

One commander said Iraqi bodies were “all over the streets“.

After reaching the Tigris in the centre of the city the tanks swung south-west back to the international airport which was previously taken by US forces.

Military chiefs said the plan was not to hold large areas and the incursion had been a “poke in the eye” for the regime.

“It was to show them that we can come and go at will, even in their capital city,” a source at Central Command said.

“It was also important for the Iraqi people to see that the liberation forces are really here.

“The commander on the ground saw an opportunity and he took it.”

The incursion was officially a reconnaissance mission” to establish the state of Iraqi forces within the city.

Around the outside of the city positions were taken to isolate Baghdad and stop re-inforcements getting in.

There were also special forces checkpoints along the road from Baghdad to Tikrit, Saddam’s birthplace and powerbase.

The headquarters of the much vaunted Medina division of the Republican Guard, 30 miles from Baghdad, was overrun with ease.