Karbala Gap holds the key to Allies' march on capital By John Lichfield 29 March 2003 The first frontal battles between US troops and Republican Guards could happen this weekend – though military experts believe the Battle for Baghdad proper may be several weeks away. Senior Allied officers predicted yesterday an imminent battle between the US Third Infantry division and the Medina and Hammurabi divisions of Republican Guards for control of the Karbala Gap, a strip of land 25 miles wide (16km) which is the key to the approach to the Iraqi capital from the south-west. US Air Force and...
