[The following translation of the iraqwar.ru report has
been kindly provided by "Necroman". You can find the original
report in Russian as well as this translation on the iraqwar.ru site. Venik]
April 8, 2003, 1613hrs MSK (GMT +4 DST), Moscow
- This morning battles in Baghdad resumed. The
US marine units at 7am managed to break to the right
bank of the Diyala near Al-Jassir, and at 8am advanced
to the left bank of the Tigris in the Bessaf district,
on the junction of streets Abu-Nuvas and Al-Rashid. Currently
up to one battalion have got over the bridges opposite
to the Ministry of Information and TV center and are
now assaulting those buildings.
According to specified data, after yesterday’s raid
into Baghdad up to two companies of Americans fortified
in the Al-Shihud palace, which was attacked by Republican
Guard troops this morning. The coming reports indicate
that the American command is trying to take control of
the administrative center of Baghdad whereupon proclaim
to have practically captured the city.
From the northern district As-Sulaija toward the city
center battalions of the 3rd Mechanized Division are moving.
As early as by 5pm they can reach the Abbasid Palace and
split Baghdad along the Tigris. The right-bank part of
the city is also under threat of a split along the Mansur
roadway line.
Information on casualties is quite desultory so far. By
now, only the loss of 2 marines during the storm of the
bridge across the Diyala and 1 tank destroyed by the Ministry
of Information has been verified.
The battle of Baghdad has broken into multiple skirmishes
and therefore the casualties sustained by both sides will
only be specified along toward evening.
According to reports by American commanders the resistance
of the Iraqis does not make an impression of them acting
under a united organized command and looks more like operations
of autonomous groups.
Moreover, the Americans note very limited use of Iraqi
tanks and artillery. There are almost no serious artificial
obstacles and strong points prepared for a long defense.
This does not give grounds to consider Baghdad prepared
for a long siege. And, under such level of resistance the
battles for Baghdad may end in 5-7 days.
But in spite of certain success, the US forces are still
unable to break the Iraqi opposition. Even units fortified
at the outskirts are being attacked and are constantly
receiving fire.
It is still unknown where the top political and military
Iraqi leaders are. Out of the high-ranked officials only
the Minister of Information Mohammad Saed Sahaf is certainly
present in the city.
According to arriving information, at about 11am an American
helicopter was shot down over the southern suburb of Baghdad.
The US command has confirmed their loss of a heavy attack
plane A-10 at Baghdad.
This morning in Basra marine units began to “clean
up” the old city blocks where remains of the Iraqi
garrison held the line yesterday. Currently, according
to the first reports, the advancing marines do not face
any resistance and there is a high probability of the Iraqis
having abandoned their positions and left the city or mixed
with Basra citizens when darkness fell.
(source: iraqwar.ru, 04-08-03, translated by Necroman)
