"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.

"We can't tell who's in charge. I don't think the Iraqi people know who's in charge. We have indications the Iraqi forces don't know who's in charge."

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.

Brooks refused to confirm exact locations or comment on when US forces would enter the city itself.

"We are certainly in close proximity of Baghdad. I wouldn't want to characterise how close or how soon it will be before we arrive at certain points in Baghdad," he said.

"There will still be fighting ahead. We should be sober about our approach and about what we will do."

SPACE.WIRE