'TANKS REACH CENTRE'

Sky News ^ | April 9, 2003

[MadIvan]

American tanks have reportedly taken up positions around a square at the very centre of Baghdad.

From a vantage point near Tahrir Square, Reuters reporter Hassan Hafidh said: "I can see about 15 tanks and armoured vehicles as well as some other vehicles that appeared to have crossed the river from the west of the city.

"They are broadcasting messages from loudspeakers in Arabic telling people not to shoot at them. The Americans look a bit nervous and are pointing their guns at people in the street."

US officials say it is premature to say the Battle of Baghdad is now over.

As renewed artillery shelling and small arms fire reverberated around the Iraqi capital, one official said there may be "many more days" of fierce fighting ahead.

Six US Marines have been injured in fighting in the Saddam City suburb to the east of the city.

Sporadic fighting is continuing around the Presidential Palace in central Baghdad.

Reporters said there was no sign of police on the main streets and there has been widespread looting. One report said looters had taken over the United Nations building.

Two tanks are holding a key bridge over the Tigris as American forces try to quell Iraqi resistance on the 21st day of the war.

The tanks were joined by artillery and automatic weapons fire.

Iraqi forces are blocking the eastern exit of the Al-Jumhuriya bridge.

Smoke billowed across the area, which is being overflown intermittently by Coalition warplanes in support of ground forces.

US forces fought their way to Saddam Hussein's Republican Palace after taking the international airport on Friday.

The sound of battle began at around 7am local time this morning after a relative lull in street skirmishes and air strikes overnight.

Intense shooting was also heard from the south of the capital as US troops sought to tighten their grip.

[MadIvan]

This war is nearly done. To the Saddamites: surrender, gobshite.

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[JohnHuang2]

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[NittanyLion]

One report said looters had taken over the United Nations building.

But Hans Blix promptly denied finding any evidence of looters in the building.

[MadIvan]

I'm happy if they loot the UN. THe UN officials in Baghdad lived like oriental satraps among abject poverty, violence and despair. Sod the little bastards.

Regards, Ivan

[Luis Gonzalez]

"One report said looters had taken over the United Nations building."

That's not news.

Or are they talking about the UN building in Iraq?

[Bluntpoint]

ABC reports that we are still miles away from Berlin.

[Int]

Thank goodness this bloody war is almost over.

[smith288]

gobshite? Give me a translation for limey speak... ;)

[NittanyLion]

LOL. Nicely put...

[Jeff Head]

That's not news

LOL! Well and truthfully said.

[steveegg]

Morning, Ivan. Sure is a gith for sore eyes.

[steveegg]

sight, even.

[Yankee]

New York Times Headline:

TANKS "PAUSE" IN CENTRAL BAGHDAD. CHEERING CROWDS MASK QUAGMIRE.

[Frumious Bandersnatch]

ne report said looters had taken over the United Nations building.

So the looters get looted...

[veronica]

Thank God "the quagmire" is finally over...

[headsonpikes]

'That's not news." BTTT!!

Good catch!

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

So when exactly does the siege of Baghdad start. I thought "experts" were predicting that coalition forces would have to face another Stalingrad.

MadIvan translation of "gobshite" please.

[Interesting Times]

**"One report said looters had taken over the United Nations building."**

That's not news.

Or are they talking about the UN building in Iraq?

Zing!