DNA 'needed to verify Saddam's death'

The world will have to wait to find out whether Saddam Hussein died the latest “decapitation” strike against him, a US military commander said today.

Brigadier General Vince Brooks said it may require detailed forensic work to establish whether Saddam and his sons, Uday and Qusay, were under the rubble of the building bombed in the Al Mansour distinct of Baghdad yesterday.

The building was flattened by four 2,000lb JDAM bunker buster bombs.

Gen Brooks said: “We had credible information that there was a regime leadership meeting.

“We had an opportunity to attack that particular regime leadership meeting and we believe the attack was effective in causing destruction of that facility.

“As to who was inside and what their conditions are that will take some time. It’s a very difficult challenge for us.

“It’s possible we may never be able to determine exactly who was present without some detailed forensic work.”

US forces were not at the bomb site.

Identification could ultimately depend on whether the US has a sample of Saddam’s DNA.

Gen Brooks defended US actions after a bomb hit the Baghdad offices of Arabic television network al-Jazeera and a US tank fired on the Palestine Hotel where many western journalists are staying.

An al-Jazeera journalist was killed at their office and a Reuters cameraman died at the hotel.

Asked by an al-Jazeera correspondent why his colleagues had been targeted, Gen Brooks said: “We regret the loss of life of civilians and we extend out condolences to the families of your personnel. It is most unfortunate indeed.

“We know we certainly do not target journalists, that’s something we just don’t do.”

He said coalition forces were fired on from the Palestine Hotel and had returned fire.

He initially said that fire came from the hotel lobby but later said he wasn’t sure.

“Decisions have to be made at a very low tactical level,” he said.

“We have to look into that action to see what decisions were made.”

Gen Brooks said the noose was tightening for the regime.

The 1st Marine Expeditionary Force had taken the Rashid military airport after crossing a river to the south-east of Baghdad.

They destroyed T72 tanks, armoured vehicles, surface-to-air missiles and paramilitary trucks.

V Corps remained inside Baghdad through the night and also launched attacks from the north and south.

Iraqi forces were acting in groups of between 20 and 60 vehicles, supported by up to 30 paramilitary trucks.

“Often all of those vehicles are destroyed in engagements,” he said.

“We’re not certain who’s in charge at the moment.

“In it’s last days we expect the regime to be more extreme than ever.”