Battle of Baghdad (2003)
In early April 2003, U.S. forces led by American M1 Abrams tanks and Bradley fighting vehicles made the first major Allied incursion into Baghdad. [1] US officials said that their forces fought skirmishes their with Iraq's Special Republican Guard, with two task forces going up to the Tigris river from the southern outskirts of the city before moving west towards the airport. Major General Victor Renuart said the intention was to indicate to the Iraqi leader that coalition forces could move in and out of Baghdad whenever they wished. [2] The Guardian reported that US forces occupied 2 "presidential palaces". [3]
Iraq denied the initial reports of the invasion. Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf, the public relations person and Iraqi Information Minister, told a press conference that there were no U.S. troops in Baghdad, saying: "Their infidels are committing suicide by the hundreds on the gates of Baghdad. Be assured, Baghdad is safe, protected. Iraqis are heroes."