Further Advance of American Forces Towards Baghdad - 2003-04-09

Further Advance of American Forces Towards Baghdad - 2003-04-09. While coalition officials are examining whether Saddam Hussein and other Iraqi leaders were killed in the attack on Tuesday, American forces continued their advance towards Baghdad today. American officials announced that the order to attack was given when classified information indicated that Saddam Hussein was meeting with his two sons and other military leaders in a residential area of Baghdad. Reports indicate that 9 people were killed in this attack. Fighting continues in parts of Baghdad, but a Pentagon official stated that coalition troops can spend the night anywhere in Baghdad they wish. In another report, the crew of the American bomber that targeted Saddam Hussein's possible location stated that they bombed the designated point 12 minutes after receiving the attack order. Lieutenant Colonel Fred Swann said that the B-1 bomber had just finished refueling in the sky when the attack order, titled 'Leadership Priority Target', was received. He said that when the order was communicated, the aircrew was told, 'This one could be the big guy.' and they immediately targeted the location and dropped 4 bombs on an area called Mansour. Official sources say they are now trying to confirm whether this airstrike was able to eliminate Iraqi leaders or not.