0
* A suicide bombing kills four US soldiers at checkpoint near Najaf. Baghdad promises more such attacks
* Renewed bombing rocks central Baghdad and outskirts; artillery fire heard just north of southern city of Umm Qasr
* US denies any interruption in military operations after officers say pause of four to six days in advance towards Baghdad is ordered because of supply shortages, Iraqi resistance
* US forces bolster security for supply lines
* Bush says US-led forces less than 80kms from Baghdad, fighting “most desperate” Iraqi units before battle for the capital
QUOTES
Iraqi Vice President Ramadan: “Any method that stops or kills the enemy will be used...The United States will turn the whole world to martyrs against it.”
Bush: “American and coalition troops have continued a steady advance and are now less than 50 miles from Baghdad...The fighting is fierce and we do not know its duration yet we know the outcome of this battle: the Iraqi regime will be disarmed and removed from power.”
CASUALTIES
* US - 34 killed, 15 missing
* UK - 23 killed
* Iraqi military - no confirmed figures
* Iraqi civilians - 589 killed, 4,582 injured
MILITARY ACTION
BAGHDAD: US official claims at least 50 Iraqi soldiers killed, 25 vehicles hit by 30 US Apache helicopters southwest of Baghdad
Warplanes and cruise missiles pound Baghdad, hit Baath party office.
SOUTHERN IRAQ: Defence official says troops from US Army’s 82nd Airborne Division placed near Nassiriya to bolster supply lines security
Artillery fire heard just north of Umm Qasr
US warplanes destroy building in Basra where US Central Command says some 200 paramilitary members were meeting
NORTHERN IRAQ: Iraqi troops bombard areas near Chamchamal, hitting territory they gave up to a Kurdish advance. Kurdish militias say they have pushed up to 25kms into Iraqi government territory north of Kirkuk
KUWAIT: An Iraqi missile hits Kuwait City for the first time; two people hurt.—Reuters
