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| April 15, 2003 | Tuesday | Safar 12, 1424 |
26th day of war
* US Marines backed by tanks seize Tikrit, effectively sealing US, British victory in the Iraq war
* Rumsfeld says Syria carried out chemical weapons tests in last 12-15 months, let Iraqis enter its territory; Powell says US will examine possible diplomatic, economic or other measures against Syria; White House calls Syria “a rogue nation”
* Syria denies it has chemical weapons, says it never cooperated with Saddam’s administration
* Iraq’s main Shi’ite opposition group says will boycott US-sponsored meeting Tuesday to map country’s political future
* Saudi Arabia plans first regional emergency meeting on Iraq since war began
* US - 119 killed, 4 missing
* Britain - 30 killed
* Iraqi military - more than 2,320, according to US military. Iraq has given no figures for its military losses
* Iraqi civilians (Iraqi estimates up to April 3) - 1,254 killed, 5,112 wounded
NORTHERN IRAQ - US Marines backed by tanks and helicopters enter Saddam’s final stronghold, seizing control of his home town Tikrit.
BAGHDAD - US Marines exchange fire with snipers near the Palestine Hotel for several minutes, capture three men. US troops set up round-the-clock patrols in some quarters; More than 2,000 Iraqi policemen report back to work.
CENTRAL IRAQ - Aides to Iraq’s top Shi’ite Muslim cleric, Ayatollah Sistani, say armed siege of his home has ended and tribal leaders in control of the city.
SOUTHERN IRAQ - British military has moved to policy of zero tolerance on looting in Basra. US spokesman says British forces have taken over from US 1st Marine Division at Amarah, extending area of British control from Basra.
GULF - US carriers USS Kitty Hawk, USS Constellation have received orders to leave the Gulf in coming days, Navy officials say. That will leave three carriers in waters near Iraq.—Reuters
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