US forces move to encircle Baghdad

SADDAM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Baghdad (AFP) Apr 06, 2003
US Army troops and Marines are moving on Baghdad from opposite directions and plan to have the capital completely encircled by later Sunday, a US officer said.

Major Rod Legowski said that the Third Brigade of the US Army's Third Infantry Division was circling northwards from the west while the Marines were pushing up from the southeast towards the Tigris river.

"They're continuing their attack northwest to the Tigris (river) to establish the cordon around the city," said Legowski, First Marine Division liaison to the Third Infantry Division.

"We think by the end of today (Sunday), it (Baghdad) will be totally surrounded," said Legowski.

The Marines started their push at 3:00 am (2300 GMT Saturday), he said.

"The whole city will be cordoned by the end of the day."

SPACE.WIRE