U.S. Airborne Division Enters Najaf, Central Iraq - April 1, 2003

The 101st Airborne Division of the United States has entered the city of Najaf in central Iraq and is currently engaged in securing the city. Colonel Ben Hodges told Alicia Ryu, a reporter for Voice of America, that the ground operation began early this morning following the nighttime destruction of Ba'ath Party facilities and Saddam's Fedayeen. The U.S. forces faced no resistance, and according to the residents of Najaf, Iraqi soldiers and police left the area when the U.S. forces entered the city. The people of Najaf helped U.S. forces locate large weapon depots belonging to Iraqi forces and seized their weapons and ammunition. Residents gathered in the streets with their children to watch the U.S. forces and expressed their feelings towards them. The people of Najaf also informed U.S. forces that Saddam's troops had planted landmines in some areas of the city. Coalition officers stated that their forces were very careful to ensure that during the nighttime airstrikes, there was no damage to the holy sites in Najaf, especially the shrine of Imam Ali, the first Imam of Shia Islam. This carefulness has resulted in all mosques in Najaf remaining completely intact and standing.