President Bush Declares Saddam Hussein No Longer in Power in First Public Message After Baghdad's Fall - 2003-04-11

President Bush, in his first public message following the fall of Baghdad, stated that Saddam Hussein is no longer in power. The White House announced that Saddam Hussein's regime has been ousted. Although Bush administration officials had been saying throughout the week that Saddam Hussein's regime would soon come to an end, this is the first time a U.S. official has confirmed Saddam Hussein's downfall. The remarks by White House spokesman Ari Fleischer came just hours after U.S. forces and Kurdish fighters entered Mosul, the largest city in northern Iraq. Iraqi defenders surrendered without showing resistance. U.S.-led forces have now begun heavy airstrikes on Tikrit, Saddam Hussein's hometown and the only major city still under his regime's control. American officials say it is still unclear whether remaining pro-Saddam forces will be able to mount significant resistance. Reports from the area indicate that after Iraqi forces abandoned the cities of Kirkuk and Mosul, residents of these cities engaged in looting. President Bush added that the war in Iraq will end when General Tommy Franks, the commander of coalition forces, announces that the objectives we sought have been achieved. Meanwhile, the U.S. military released a list of fifty-five high-ranking officials from Saddam Hussein's regime who are being actively pursued.