Yeah, BBC, Otherwise known as 'Tikrit'. Don't you believe anything your 'reporters' file?!
US marines have entered Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit, American officials say. A spokesman at US Central Command in Qatar said the troops had encountered no resistance and were receiving help from local residents. Tikrit is believed to be a possible remaining stronghold of Saddam Hussein's regime and there has been speculation that troops loyal to the deposed leader might be planning a last stand there.
| But so far they're not, since Sammy's dead or run... |
In cities which have already fallen to coalition forces, the US military has promised to take steps to restore law and order after the collapse of the regime led to widespread looting and violence. On Saturday, two men shot dead a US marine who was manning a checkpoint near a hospital in Baghdad. Fellow marines opened fire and killed one man who was found to be carrying Syrian papers. The other escaped.
| That's significant from two points: Syria is making war on us, and Iraq isn't. Wotta surprise. |
Now, the leader of the Iraqi National Congress, Ahmed Chalabi, has said "free Iraqi forces" will go to Baghdad to help US forces restore order. Both Mosul in the north and Basra in the south are reported to be calmer on Sunday.
| The Iraqis are probably trying to get used to the fact that it's not the conquering allied forces who're sacking their cities... |
US Secretary of State Colin Powell has said that once the fighting is over, US forces will turn their attention to finding weapons of mass destruction. "I think they will be found," he told the BBC's Breakfast with Frost programme.
| We seem to keep tripping over them — and each time the subject's dropped or it's explained away. Makes no sense to me, so obviously I don't have all the facts. Either that, or it's senseless... |
Tikrit is the only major centre not under the control of US-led forces. Analysts say the battle for Saddam Hussein's hometown could be the final showdown in the war. The Republican Guard positions in the city have been pounded by US planes in recent days, and reporters on the ground say there is little sign of organised defence there.
| They were saying on FoxNews a few minutes ago that there's been no resistance. It's over for the Iraqis, still under way for the Syrians. |
Speaking in Qatar, Brigadier-General Vincent Brooks said American troops were "having some success" in the northern city. "Not much combat action is occurring; that's good news," he said. "Task Force Tripoli is what is headed north... with significant capabilities and fire power. They have moved north along Highway 1 to Tikrit from Samarra (50 kilometres south of Tikrit)," Lieutenant Mark Kitchens said.
| Samarra was where the seven POWs/missing were picked up, just standing by the side of the road. My guess is that their captors said something along the lines of, "You're on your own. We're going home. Don't tell anybody who we are." |
Earlier, a CNN crew was able to drive through checkpoints into Tikrit, which appeared to still be under the control of the Baath Party. The team was told to get permission from the area's governor to film and then came under heavy pistol and machine-gun fire as it drove through the city.
And they reported this? Guess their Iraq despatches are a little less self-censored these days.
In Baghdad, US Chinook helicopters carried out their first air patrols in an effort to improve security. Coalition commanders say troops have already secured a hospital in the capital and a water treatment centre threatened by looters. But they insist that it is unrealistic for their forces to restore law and order in areas where they are still encountering armed resistance. On Sunday, hundreds of Iraqis queued in central Baghdad for jobs in key sectors, creating a traffic jam around the Palestine hotel where US officials set up a recruitment desk. The Americans have urged police, health workers, electricity and water ministry employees to help with restoring order and services in the capital. |