Global Policy Forum

The 'shock and awe' air assault on Iraq, which America predicts will bring down Saddam's regime, began tonight as dozens of huge explosions rocked the centre of Baghdad. The Pentagon confirmed the attack was underway, as cruise missiles and bombs rained down on the Iraqi capital. Sky News reported there were more than 30 explosions, several hitting and destroying Saddam's presidential palace.

The massive bombing blitz also attacked targets in northern Iraq around the outskirts of Kirkuk and Mosul. Dozens of cruise missiles were launched from warships in the Gulf. Attack aircraft also launched their missions from carriers in the Gulf, and earlier today, at least eight B–52 bombers left the RAF base at Fairford, Gloucestershire. On the ground, US and British forces pushed deeply into Iraqi territory taking hundreds of Iraqi soldiers prisoner, but encountering stiff resistance from some units.

Several towns in southern Iraq fell to the Allied forces as they closed on Basra, the second largest city. British officials said they were hopeful of taking control of the city tonight. Despite successss on the ground, Allied troops were halted by heavy fighting with Iraqi soldiers at Nasiriyah,on the Euphrates. about 230 miles south of the capital.

The fighting intensified after the American and British armoured column made almost unimpeded progress from the Kuwait border deep into Iraq this morning. Nasiriyah sits in a strategic position on the Euprates, 90 miles from the border and US forces were being reinforced to overcome Iraqi resistance The strategically vital Iraqi port of Umm Qasr ­ the only major sea port for goods to enter the country ­ was largely taken by US marines after Iraqi troops put up strong resistance.

British forces have secured the southern Iraqi oilfields after seven oil installations at Al Faw, just south of Basra, had been set alight by Iraqi troops. In western Iraq, US officials said two key airfields had been captured and two Iraqi ships, loaded with dozens of mines were seized in the Gulf Politicans sought to play down early optimism that the Allied forces would find the Iraqi army a pushover. Prime Minister Tony Blair urged caution and the White House said the war could be "lengthy and dangerous". Hundreds of Iraqi soldiers surrendered in the south of Iraq. Royal Marines securing oil installations at the Al Faw peninsular encountered some of the troops at around 5.30am.

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