April 7, 2003	Monday	Safar 4, 1424

* Bombs, artillery thunder across Baghdad as US says it has cut most approaches to the capital

* First US aircraft, a C-130 military transporter, lands at Baghdad airport, US military source says

* US plane bombs convoy of US special forces, Kurdish fighters, killing 18 Kurds and wounding more than 45, including brother of Kurdish leader Barzani

* Russia calls in US, Iraqi ambassadors after convoy with Moscow’s ambassador attacked; unclear who fired on convoy

* U.N. relief agencies warn of health disaster in Baghdad QUOTES

World Health Organisation spokesman on conditions in Baghdad: “We expect a severe deterioration of the health situation during the days to come due to the daily bombardment that results in damage of infrastructure and sharp rise in civilian casualties.”

US commander after taking Kerbala: “The Fedayeen have lost a powerbase...All roads here lead to Baghdad and now we can drive those roads.”

CASUALTIES

* US - 81 dead, 8 missing

* Britain - 27 dead

* Iraqi military - US says 320 Iraqi soldiers were killed in battle for Baghdad airport, and about 2,000 killed since US forces started attacking the outskirts of Baghdad. Iraq has given no figures for its military losses in war

* Iraqi civilians (Iraqi estimates) - 1,252 killed, 5,103 injured

MILITARY ACTION

BAGHDAD: Artillery exchanges, mortar fire heard in central Baghdad; constant explosions hit east and southwest outskirts.

US Marines battle for control of road bridge over the Tigris. US says its controls almost all access to the capital and that 2,000 Iraqi fighters have been killed since attack on outskirts began.

CENTRAL IRAQ: US troops pushed into the centre of Kerbala after battles with Iraqi paramilitaries threatening US supply lines.—Reuters