Fierce fighting heard on edge of Tikrit

TIKRIT, Iraq (AFP) Apr 13, 2003
Sounds of fierce fighting were heard Sunday on the edges of the key Iraqi powerbase of Tikrit, Saddam Hussein's hometown, where US forces were preparing to attack, witnesses told AFP.

Exchanges of artillery and automatic weapons fire were taking place, the witnesses said, adding that helicopters were overflying the governor's offices.

A Canadian journalist "embedded" with the US Marines, Matthew Fisher, told CNN 250 US armoured vehicles had entered the city and quoted US commander Brigadier John Kelly as saying five Iraqi tanks had been destroyed on the outskirts and at least 15 people killed in firefights.

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