WORLD NEWS

 

April 9, 2003

 

Saddam Loses Control of Baghdad

 

U.S. troops take control of the center of the Iraqi capital but fighting continues elsewhere

 

As American troops took control of the center of Baghdad Wednesday, Iraqis crowded around a landmark statue of Saddam Hussein. They cheered and danced as they watched fellow citizens trying to tear the statue down with rope. Using a Marine tank recovery vehicle, the U.S. Marines helped the Iraqis topple the 40-foot statue of the Iraqi leader.

 

The Fall of Saddam

 

People all over the world watched on their television sets as the statue came crashing down at 6:50 p.m. Iraqi time. The fallen statue quickly became a symbol of what American officials said is the beginning of the end of Hussein's brutal leadership. Iraqis danced, cheered and waved their national flag as U.S. troops stood guard. Other Iraqis were quiet and some handed flowers to Marines.

 

U.S. military officials warned that even though the Iraqi government has lost control, the war is not over. Elsewhere in Baghdad and in other parts of Iraq, heavy fighting continued. U.S. Brigadier General Vincent Brooks said fighting continued in the north, in the city of Mosul and in Hussein's hometown of Tikrit.

 

Some of Hussein's most loyal and well-trained fighters remain in Tikrit. U.S. officials are also still not sure where Saddam Hussein and his two sons are or if they are alive.

 

The Wild Scene in Central Baghdad

 

In central Baghdad, some Iraqis were seen stealing furniture, office supplies and other items using wheelbarrows. There were no Iraqi police forces to stop them. Others ripped down posters of Saddam and destroyed them.

 

Some Iraqis waved white flags and made V-for-victory signs with their hands. "We were nearly mobbed by people trying to shake our hands," said U.S. Major Andy Milburn of the Marines. But not every Iraqi celebrated. "… What about all the women and children who died in the bombing?" asked Qassim al-Shamari, 50, an Iraqi laborer.

 

What's Next for Iraq?

 

Three weeks after the start of the war, much attention is now focused on what's next for Iraq. The United States plans to host a meeting on April 15 between Iraqi leaders who have opposed Saddam Hussein's leadership. The goal of the meeting is to create a temporary government to help move Iraq forward.

 

http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/news/story/0,6260,442041,00.html