Orlando Sentinel (Florida) April 11, 2003
Suicide Bomb Hurts 4; Kurds Take Kirkuk; Firefight At Mosque Kills 1 Marine, Wounds 22; Prominent Shiite Cleric Assassinated
DEVELOPMENTS
U.S. troops grapple with looting, civil disorder and fierce gunbattles in Baghdad.
The U.S. reassures Turkey that American forces will be in control of the Iraqi oil-rich city of Kirkuk and agrees to Ankara's sending military observers.
A U.S. Marine is killed in fierce fighting around a mosque where senior Iraqi leaders are thought to be holed up.
A suicide bomber injures 4 American Marines at a military checkpoint in Baghdad, a U.S. officer says.
The Pentagon defends Iraqi National Congress head Ahmad Chalabi but says it won't "anoint" the former exile as leader of Iraq.
U.S. Treasury Secretary John Snow says he will urge international institutions to lend expertise to rebuild Iraq.
Iraqi Shiite leader Abdul Majid al-Khoei and an aide are killed by a mob in a holy shrine at Najaf.
The U.S. military says members of the Republican Guard are joining up near Tikrit and Mosul.
UPCOMINGS
TODAY/SATURDAY
Group of Seven finance ministers will meet in Washington for talks on global economic conditions and aiding Iraq's economic reconstruction.
DEATH TOLL
Allies: At least 106 Americans; at least 31 Britons (figures include combat and noncombat deaths and may include some coalition troops listed as missing)
Iraqi military: At least 2,600, according to U.S. military estimates
Civilians: At least 1,252, according to Iraqi officials -- a figure that cannot be confirmed
Journalists: 10
SOURCES: AccuWeather, The New York Times, satellite images from Digitalglobe via Keyhole Earthviewer, global security.org ORLANDO SENTINEL
GRAPHIC: MAP: Looking north: The next phase Looking north: The next phase With the northern cities of Kirkuk and Mosul falling, allied military will focus its attention on Tikrit, Saddam's hometown, where forces loyal to him are still in control.
Warning to Syria
Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld warns Syria that there is intelligence showing paramilitary fighters crossing into Iraq.
Kirkuk and Mosul
Kurd fighters, backed by U.S. special- operations troops, have taken control of Kirkuk. Secretary of State Colin Powell assures Turkey that allied troops are in control of the operation and not the Kurds.
In Mosul, the Iraqi Army 5th Corps commander and the governor-general surrender to the U.S. Special Operations Joint Task Force. Allied troops secure northern oil fields, with reports of only 1 oil fire burning.
U.S. forces take villages
American troops face very little resistance taking 2 small villages near Khanaqin that Iraqi forces had fled.
Shaping the battlefield in Tikrit
Along with 3 nearby cities, it could be the stage for the final battle between U.S. and Iraqi Republican Guard forces. Military analysts suggest the city's layout could be an advantage for U.S. troops:
- The narrow shape of the city and multiple routes to center make access easy.
- Wide streets
- Main palace outside city
- 3 airports could help U.S. airlift extra equipment.
MAP 2: TIKRIT PRESIDENTIAL SITE
At about 2.5 square miles, Saddam's presidential site in his hometown of Tikrit is the largest and most elaborate of his residences. In addition to palaces and VIP residences, the site also includes farms and rural retreats. Construction at the site has been ongoing since 1991. The satellite images at the right show the area the site encompasses, plus 1 of the palaces on the grounds.
MAP 2: KEY EVENTS
Baghdad
A suicide bomber attacks U.S. troops by walking up to a checkpoint near the Palestine Hotel. 4 Marines are seriously injured. 1 Marine is killed and 22 others wounded in a firefight at the Imam Mosque, where senior Iraqi leaders were thought to be meeting. Iraqi forces are either killed or captured. U.S. Army soldiers drive back Iraqi fighters who tried to cross the Tigris River by boat.
Northern Iraq
After Kurd fighters take Kirkuk, elements of the Army's 173rd Airborne Brigade enter the city. Iraqi commanders in Mosul offer to surrender if bombing stops and they get amnesty.
Najaf
A prominent Iraqi Shiite cleric is assassinated in an attack inside the Imam Ali Mosque.
Western Iraq
Coalition Special Forces launch missions against Iraqi forces in Qaim, near the Syrian border.
Copyright © 2003, Sentinel Communications Co.
