Iraq briefing

Quick overview

The focus of the war shifts back to southern Iraq. US and British forces revise war plans to concentrate on Basra, Umm Qasr and other strongholds not properly secured on the initial dash into Iraq. US forces reportedly kill up to 650 Iraqi troops near Najaf as their advance north meets heavy resistance, although no US soldiers are killed.

Baghdad

* Reuters reported at least 15 were killed in a residential part of the city, apparently killed in a US-led bombing or missile raid yesterday. Several cars nearby were on fire or smouldering.

* Iraqi state TV station bombed at dawn, knocking out international broadcasting capabilities, although domestic broadcasts of verses from the Koran began as usual around 9am.

The fight

* US Marines resume their northbound trek from Nasiriyah and brace themselves for further resistance along the way, especially from militia units like the Saddam fedayeen.

* British troops destroy Baath Party building in Basra, and spread word of citizens revolting within the city. Iraq denies any uprising. Basra correspondent of al-Jazeera Arabic network reports no sign of uprising, with calm city streets.

* US armoured columns thrust to the Karbala area, 95km south of the capital.

* US Marines seize 3000 chemical suits, weapons from Nasiriyah hospital and capture 170 unarmed Iraqi troops.

Friendly fire

* Two British soldiers killed in an incident with another British tank near Basra.

* Second soldier dies after the weekend's grenade attack in a camp in Kuwait.

War crimes

* Senior White House and Pentagon officials accuse Iraq of war crimes, including the public execution of several Army mechanics who were captured over the weekend in Nasiriyah.

Saddam Hussein

* In a statement read on his behalf on Iraqi TV yesterday, Saddam urges tribesmen to join the battle against US and British forces and not wait for further orders.

Protests

* Hundreds of protesters burn American flags, set off firecrackers and chant "no war!" in a demonstration yesterday near the US Consulate in Sydney.

Herald Feature: Iraq