Suicide Attack in Baghdad - 2003-04-10

A U.S. Marine officer reports that at least one American soldier was killed in a suicide bombing in Baghdad. He stated that the attack occurred at a military checkpoint near the Palestine Hotel in central Baghdad. Another Marine told CNN that a man wearing explosives approached the checkpoint and detonated himself. In this attack, which took place shortly after sunset at a military post north of the Palestine Hotel, four soldiers were also injured. U.S. forces in the Iraqi capital continue to face resistance from fighters loyal to Saddam Hussein. Journalists report that Baghdad is the scene of widespread looting, with gangs pillaging goods from various locations, including the German embassy and the residence of Uday, Saddam's eldest son. Iraqis say the absence of any civil authority has led to chaos. A spokesperson for the U.S. Central Command stated that American forces are unaware of the whereabouts of Saddam Hussein, his sons, and other senior Iraqi officials. Meanwhile, while American soldiers are engaged in battle with forces loyal to Saddam Hussein in Baghdad, Kurdish fighters in Iraq, supported by U.S. special forces, captured the oil-rich and strategic city of Kirkuk in northern Iraq today. Journalists in Kirkuk report hearing sporadic gunfire but say it appears that the Iraqi defenders abandoned their positions and fled without engaging in combat. Residents of Kirkuk celebrated by toppling a statue of Saddam Hussein and looting government offices and Ba'ath Party headquarters.