U.S. Troops Seize Saddam International Airport

On April 4, 16 days after the outbreak of the war in Iraq, U.S. armed forces seized Saddam International Airport located on the outskirts of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. There is also speculation that urban warfare has begun in Baghdad since the lights in the city went out while President Saddam Hussein’s image appeared on state television at about 9 p.m. the previous day.

The U.S. military argued that they never attacked electrical facilities, but the British press collectively reported coalition special forces advanced on the Iraqi capital during the blackout and were conducting secret operations to evaluate guard troops.

The BBC reported that urban warfare started and that bombing could be heard in the blacked-out capital. U.S. special forces troops are known to have advanced on some Iraqi army checkpoints and stage operations.

However, it is not decided whether the coalition forces will continue to advance on Baghdad or isolate the capital and wait for the internal collapse of the regime to minimize casualties on both sides.

U.S. President George W. Bush said, “We will accept nothing less than complete and final victory. The cruel Iraqi regime is now on the verge of collapse.”

In response to President Bush’s comments, the Iraqi vice prime minister argued, “Baghdad has a strong defense and the coalition will pay dearly.”

Coalition forces and the Iraqi Army waged fierce battles not only on the outskirts of the Iraqi capital but also the southern city of Basra and the northern city of Mosul. The U.S. military reported that they killed 2000 Iraqi soldiers during their advance on Baghdad. However, two American soldiers died today and American casualties have reached 53 with 1 missing and 7 injured. British casualties were 27, reported the New York Times.

Eun-Taek Hong euntack@donga.com