Iraqi defenders are thought to number 2,500, but Marine officers said previous estimates of enemy troop strength have been inaccurate.

The attacks were repulsed by the Iraqi defenders.

A major goal of the American attacks has been to prevent retreating Iraqi defenders from taking up positions inside the capital.

Fierce fighting raged with the Iraqi defenders for one week with heavy losses on both sides.

Just north of the port, American and British tank units tonight were engaged in gun battles with Iraqi defenders.

The Iraqi defenders lost five tanks and 20 artillery pieces.

Clark had a total of about 1,450 men to attack at least 20,000 Iraqi defenders.

A senior Marine officer confidently predicted that the Iraqi defenders would be "history within 12 hours."

American forces moving to encircle Baghdad encountered Iraqi defenders ready to fight.

Demoralized by heavy coalition bombardments, the Iraqi defenders rapidly surrendered.