Popular uprisings reported: Citizens attacking Saddam's fighters in Baghdad, Basra

Taking their cue from a coalition "show of force" in Baghdad, Iraqi civilians turned on those loyal to Saddam Hussein in the streets of the capital and the second-largest city, Basra, according to unconfirmed Arab media reports.

"Major bloody confrontations are currently taking place between the residents of Baghdad and the regime's militia, killing dozens of Saddam's loyalists and forcing many of their leaders to leave their positions and change into civilian clothes," reported the Kuwait News Agency, citing sources inside the capital.

Iranian media outlets also reported Iraqi soldiers being killed in Baghdad in areas where civilians are rising up against the regime.

Neither Pentagon officials nor U.S. Central Command officers have confirmed the reports.

Hours earlier, more than 100 armored vehicles, including up to 70 tanks, stormed into Baghdad in a coalition operation designed to send a powerful message to the Iraqi regime, according to U.S. commanders.

U.S. troops seized two presidential palaces and set up checkpoints at all of the city's main exits.

Amid the advance, U.S. officials warn stiff opposition from remaining members of the elite Republican Guard may still come.

Clashes with Iraqi fighters erupted around Baghdad's landmark al-Rashid hotel, according to Agence France-Presse correspondents. Iraqi paramilitary fighters were seen firing assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenades from different angles toward the area of the al-Rashid.

Meanwhile, Iraq's information minister insists there is no coalition presence in Baghdad and that U.S. forces are "committing suicide" by attacking Baghdad.

"We fed them yesterday with hell and death. This morning we will not mention the total number of deaths or tanks destroyed - the operations are still going on. They pushed a few of their armored carriers and some of their tanks with their soldiers and we besieged them and we killed most of them and I think we will finish them soon," said Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf.

South of Baghdad, a British officer declares the battle for Basra is "more or less over."

"We are covering all the areas of Basra, including the old city. There are soldiers and armored vehicles inside [the old city] right now," Lt. Col. Hugh Blackman of the 7th Armored Brigade told Sky News.

He said there were 4,000 coalition soldiers, 200 tanks and hundreds of armored vehicles in the city.

British press reports suggest civilians are taking advantage of the coalition presence and exacting revenge on pro-Saddam forces. Several militiamen were seen being killed by throngs of civilians, according to the Press Association.

Iraqi civilians also looted a state bank. Residents were seen streaming out of the building carrying chairs, tables, carpets and other items, according to the Associated Press. They then toted them off in horse-drawn carts and cars.

Residents were spotted pushing the grand piano from the smoldering Sheraton Hotel down the street.

A great thread on this from this morning HERE.

As I stated there ... this is the best of all possible outcomes. If the Iraqis, as soon as the boot of tyranny is loosened off their neck, rise up and finish the jon and then hang the Ba'athists, Feyadeen and Saddam loyalists from every lamp post.

Clearly our strategy is paying off, and showing the Hussein/Ba'ath regime for the abjesct and brutal tyranny it has always been.

That's why we are Winning Iraqi Freedom.

For a nice parody, go to the "Warfare" link on that site and use the "Drive on Baghdad" option. Last picture in that series.

Let's Roll!

Hoon: Brits in Basra to stay
Daschle Despondent

'DASCHLE DEEPLY SADDENED'

Saddam Hussein's rule is coming to an end and Coalition troops are now "in Basra to stay," defence secretary Geoff Hoon said.

But he said that US Senator Tom Daschle, (Flaming Liberal, S.D.) is absolutly morose.

"Daschle's regime is not necessarily at an end," he told a press conference. "In Washington itself as in other world capitols, liberals have taken a beating in popularity polls. Various groups of irregulars, Greens and Communists and fanatics who hang on to the coat tails of the Daschle remain active around the world.

"A number of Hippie formations inside San Francisco may yet have to be defeated if they do not capitulate first."

He added, however: "What is clear that the Liberal's regime is coming to an end and that a better future is in sight for the US people."

With US troops on the streets of Baghdad and British forces in Basra, Mr Hoon said that the days of second guessing the "Coalition of the Willing".

But he cautioned that coalition forces would still have a job to do flushing out "irregulars, thugs and fanatics" which had attached themselves to the Daschle.

Despite Mr Hoon's comments, he admitted that Coalition forces were "still not sure of the location of the Dascle followerss".

"In other news, "the band of right thinking, pro-Bush" protesters lead by Belly Girl promised to redouble their efforts to flush out the defeatd left wingers.

Last Updated: 13:17 UK, Monday April 07, 2003


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