At least two U.S. soldiers were killed in fierce fighting for control of the south-central city of Najaf. According to Capt. Kenric Bourne of the 101st Airborne Division, two soldiers from the 1st and 2nd brigades were killed Monday when Iraqi fighters dressed as civilians opened fire with weapons mounted on vehicles.
U.S. troops Monday pushed into the Euphrates River town of Hindiyah while Iraqi soldiers fired from behind brick walls and hedges with small arms and rocket-propelled grenades.
At least 35 Iraqis were killed and U.S. forces captured several dozen others who identified themselves as members of the Republican Guard, media reports said.
Attacks on leadership and command and control centers in Baghdad were carried out simultaneously by multiple B-1, B-2 and B-52 bombers, according to U.S. Central Command.
In the north, U.S. aircraft pounded Iraqi positions near the town of Kalak on Monday, aiding Kurdish fighters.
Meanwhile, a senior U.S. commander said on Monday U.S. special forces are in control of movement across Iraq's western desert.
"We are denying freedom of movement throughout the western desert and are being very effective at it," Brigadier General Vincent Brooks told a news briefing in Qatar.
U.S. officials have said two airfields in the western desert were seized by U.S. forces in the early stages of the war.
Travelers arriving at the Jordanian border on the main highway from Baghdad have reported a U.S. military checkpoint midway along the road in the western desert. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
