Iraq Briefing

Quick overview

The invasion of Iraq was slowed yesterday by stubborn resistance from Iraqi fighters and a sandstorm south of the capital. US troops took heavy fire as they tried to break through a "red zone" around Baghdad, and an Apache helicopter attack force was repulsed. Coalition troops moved through Nasiriyah and surrounded Basra, and claimed to control Umm Qasr. Heavy strikes continued on northern cities Kirkuk and Mosul.

The fight

* US Marines crossed the Euphrates and Saddam Canal near Nasiriyah after fighting their way through the city, which remains hostile.

* British forces declared Basra "surrounded" as Iraqi troops moved back into the city centre.

* A sandstorm cut visibility to about 500m around a US convoy near Najaf, about 160km south of Baghdad, hampering an assault.

* South of Baghdad a force of 32 Apache helicopters attacked the Republican Guard to prepare the way for ground troops, but anti-aircraft fire drove back the helicopters.

* Officials said 20 US and 18 British soldiers had been killed. There was no figure for Iraqi combatants killed.

* US commanders said invasion was going to plan. Iraqi officials said US dreams "of a short and easy war have started to evaporate".

Prisoners of war

* Iraqi TV showed pictures of two captured Apache helicopter pilots but did not interview them. US said it had destroyed the Apache that Iraq said was shot down by farmers.

Saddam Hussein

* Deputy Prime Minister Tareq Aziz says Saddam is in full control of Army and country.

Aid for civilians

* British supply ship Galahad due to arrive at the port of Umm Qasr today or early tomorrow.

* Red Cross says it fears a drinking water crisis in Basra and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan calls for urgent action. Protests

* In Tasmania 35 women staged a naked protest, lying down in a field to spell out the words "no war".

* In Detroit hundreds of Iraqi immigrants and Arab-Americans faced off across a main street in duelling protests.

Herald Feature: Iraq