GWT: Fighting around presidential palace

(7 Apr 2003)

MUTE:
1. Wide of Baghdad
2. Iraqis (under fire) rolling down the river bank towards the reeds in the river, possibly after being shot
3. Various of fighting alongside the banks of the Tigris River with Iraqis in black
4. Plumes of black smoke emerge from oil-filled trenches
5. Iraqis running along the bank of the river
6. Iraqi flag flying on top of the presidential compound
7. Iraqis running along the bank of the river
8. Wide of presidential compound

NATSOUND:
9. Iraqis running along the bank of the river
10. Wide of two US tanks
11. Various wides of presidential compound
12. Smoke in front of presidential compound
13. Wide of two US armoured vehicles
14. Pan along banks of river
15. Fires burning on the roadside
16. Wide of area with fires burning and smoke billowing

STORYLINE:

US tanks and armoured vehicles launched an attack on central Baghdad on Monday.

Mortars exploded as a fierce battle raged near one of Saddam Hussein's presidential palaces on the bank of the Tigris River.

The US military says its troops destroyed 60 Iraqi vehicles, three tanks and three armoured personnel carriers in the operation.

Buildings occupied by US troops included Saddam Hussein's newest presidential palace, the Information Ministry and the Al-Rashid Hotel.

As US columns moved northeast along the Tigris river, Iraqis fled along its banks and some were seen to roll into the water.

An ammunition depot across the river was on fire.

More than 70 US tanks and 60 Bradley armoured vehicles were involved.

At the palace compound, Iraqis shot small arms fire from a clock tower, which the US tanks quickly destroyed. Most
of the compound was severely damaged from prior US raids.

Since coalition troops seized Baghdad's international airport, they have encircled the heavily-bombed city of five million people, blocking off entry and exits and monitored all movement from the air.

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