US Forces Pound Eastern Baghdad Through the Night

05/04/2003| IslamWeb

U.S. planes and artillery launched a blistering barrage against Baghdad's eastern flank early on Saturday in what appeared to be a new focus of attack on the Iraqi capital, witnesses said. Reuter's correspondents in the city said they heard intense blasts of artillery fire, as well as surface-to-air missiles and bombs going off in the distance.

The ferocious assault on eastern Baghdad came one day after U.S. troops approached from the southwest to seize the city's international airport.

After night fell, U.S. artillery opened up on the eastern edges of the city and kept up the attack, leaving parts of the city glowing orange in the distance.

Iraqi artillery fired back as the drone of U.S. planes could be heard overhead and anti-aircraft fire lit up the sky.

The fight gave many Baghdad residents their first up-close look at the battle that may will soon overwhelm their city.

U.S. commanders moved to beef up their presence at the airport, calling in soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division and the 94th battalion to reinforce the 3rd Infantry Division, which spearheaded the attack on the installation.

TOUGH BATTLE AHEAD

U.S. military officials say any battle for Baghdad will not be over quickly. Troops could face street-to-street fighting and guerrilla warfare, including 'suicide' attacks.

Iraqi officials say thousands of Arab volunteers are ready for martyrdom missions against U.S.-led forces.

PHOTO CAPTION

A U.S. Marines convoy of M1A1 tanks, part of the 7th Marine Regiment, passes through an Iraqi village on a road southeast of Baghdad, April 4, 2003. Photo by Oleg Popov/Reuters