"There is increasing evidence that the regime cannot control its forces or the Iraqi population in most of the country," Brigadier General Vincent Brooks told a news briefing here.

US forces advanced Thursday to within 15 kilometers (nine miles) of downtown Baghdad and controlled the southern approaches to the capital, a US field commander reported earlier.

Major General Buford Blount, commander of the 20,000-strong Third Infantry Division, said troops of his second brigade controlled a key intersection south of Baghdad and were 15 kilometers from the city center.

SPACE.WIRE