The REAL Clown-Free Zone

[Pre386]

Got a bullish headline here...

Baghdad airport 'seized by US troops'

[I just hope this Iraq stuff is over soon, got no idea what happens to stocks over the short term]

US troops have reportedly captured Baghdad's Saddam Hussein International Airport.

ABC television network reporter Bob Schmidt, with the 3rd Infantry Division, says he was standing on the airport tarmac when he filed his report.

He says tanks and armoured units captured the airport against almost no opposition from Iraqi forces.

Schmidt said: "US forces encountered very little Iraqi resistance, although some units of the 3rd Infantry Division did encounter scattered firing by Iraqi foot soldiers and men in pick-ups."

He has reported seeing Iraqis waving and cheering as US tanks rolled toward the airport.

There was no information on which Iraqi divisions had been manning the airport's defences.

ABC said the airport assault was led by a combination of special operations forces and the 82nd airborne.

They were followed by elements of the 3rd Infantry Division and 101st Airborne.

CNN reported that civilians living in the area were being ordered by Iraqi authorities to drive to the airport. It said all Iraqi checkpoints at the entrances to Baghdad had been closed for the first time.


Story filed: 21:28 Thursday 3rd April 2003