http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=focusIraqNews&storyID=2533476
Smiles and Flowers for U.S. Marines in Baghdad
Wed April 9, 2003 05:29 AM ET
By Sean Maguire
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Hundreds of jubilant Iraqis mobbed a convoy of U.S. Marines on Wednesday, cheering, dancing and waving as American troops swept toward central Baghdad through slums and leafy suburbs from the east.
Crowds threw flowers at the Marines as they drove past the Martyrs' Monument, just three km (two miles) east of the central Jumhuriya Bridge over the Tigris river.
Young and middle-aged men, many wearing soccer shirts of leading Western clubs like Manchester United, shouted "Hello, hello" as Marines advanced through the rundown sprawl of Saddam City and then more prosperous suburbs with villas and trim lawns.
"No more Saddam Hussein," chanted one group, waving to troops as they passed. "We love you, we love you."
One young man ran alongside a Marine armored personnel carrier trying to hand over a heavy belt of ammunition.
An older man made a wild kicking gesture with his foot, saying "Goodbye Saddam."
Women waved from balconies, girls threw flower petals at young Marines leaning across gun turrets. One woman held her baby aloft.
Tank crews picked the flowers from the tops of their fighting machines, smelt them and grinned.
One man shouted to a soldier: "Is it over?."
"Almost," came the Marine's reply.
"To be honest, I'm happy it appears they're not going to fight. I was a little nervous when the crowd was so exuberant, we've heard so much about suicide bombings and drive-by shootings," said Captain Dan Rose.
"We are the lead regiment now. We are the furthest forward of anyone," Colonel John Toolan, commander of 1st Marine Regiment, told Reuters.
"I believe we are on the last leg."
ABANDONED WEAPONRY
At one point, the Marine convoy of over a dozen armored vehicles halted, spotting a blue flat-bed truck partly concealed behind a high brick wall.
Within seconds, U.S. heavy machineguns had taken it out causing a huge explosion, sending up a fireball and scattering the crowds who ran for cover.
Moments later, Marines came across four "ready to fire" SA-2 missiles covered by tarpaulin by the roadside.
Earlier, U.S. tanks simply ran over any small arm weaponry they found and destroyed abandoned heavy artillery pieces.
Lance Corporal Justin Cleaves, 26, having his photograph taken next to the SA-2 missiles, said: "It was pretty crazy coming through all those people throwing flowers. They were real happy to see us.
"It looks as though the (Iraqi) troops just dropped everything and ran," he said.
There were no Iraqi soldiers or police in sight.
People in the crowds said the troops had left0 on Tuesday.
Nearer Baghdad center, people were everywhere, running across roads and down narrow side streets carrying whatever they could lay their hands on.
Cars and trucks heaved and spluttered, piled high with furniture, refrigerators, clothing, tires -- all apparently looted from shops and government offices.
"I'm happy to be here, but a little disappointed there weren't more soldiers to fight...still, it's a good feeling knowing people are that afraid of us," said 32-year-old Sergeant Brian Dow.
"I kinda felt like Madonna there, having flowers thrown at me."
Smiles and Flowers for U.S. Marines in Baghdad
Wed April 9, 2003 05:29 AM ET
By Sean Maguire
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Hundreds of jubilant Iraqis mobbed a convoy of U.S. Marines on Wednesday, cheering, dancing and waving as American troops swept toward central Baghdad through slums and leafy suburbs from the east.
Crowds threw flowers at the Marines as they drove past the Martyrs' Monument, just three km (two miles) east of the central Jumhuriya Bridge over the Tigris river.
Young and middle-aged men, many wearing soccer shirts of leading Western clubs like Manchester United, shouted "Hello, hello" as Marines advanced through the rundown sprawl of Saddam City and then more prosperous suburbs with villas and trim lawns.
"No more Saddam Hussein," chanted one group, waving to troops as they passed. "We love you, we love you."
One young man ran alongside a Marine armored personnel carrier trying to hand over a heavy belt of ammunition.
An older man made a wild kicking gesture with his foot, saying "Goodbye Saddam."
Women waved from balconies, girls threw flower petals at young Marines leaning across gun turrets. One woman held her baby aloft.
Tank crews picked the flowers from the tops of their fighting machines, smelt them and grinned.
One man shouted to a soldier: "Is it over?."
"Almost," came the Marine's reply.
"To be honest, I'm happy it appears they're not going to fight. I was a little nervous when the crowd was so exuberant, we've heard so much about suicide bombings and drive-by shootings," said Captain Dan Rose.
"We are the lead regiment now. We are the furthest forward of anyone," Colonel John Toolan, commander of 1st Marine Regiment, told Reuters.
"I believe we are on the last leg."
ABANDONED WEAPONRY
At one point, the Marine convoy of over a dozen armored vehicles halted, spotting a blue flat-bed truck partly concealed behind a high brick wall.
Within seconds, U.S. heavy machineguns had taken it out causing a huge explosion, sending up a fireball and scattering the crowds who ran for cover.
Moments later, Marines came across four "ready to fire" SA-2 missiles covered by tarpaulin by the roadside.
Earlier, U.S. tanks simply ran over any small arm weaponry they found and destroyed abandoned heavy artillery pieces.
Lance Corporal Justin Cleaves, 26, having his photograph taken next to the SA-2 missiles, said: "It was pretty crazy coming through all those people throwing flowers. They were real happy to see us.
"It looks as though the (Iraqi) troops just dropped everything and ran," he said.
There were no Iraqi soldiers or police in sight.
People in the crowds said the troops had left0 on Tuesday.
Nearer Baghdad center, people were everywhere, running across roads and down narrow side streets carrying whatever they could lay their hands on.
Cars and trucks heaved and spluttered, piled high with furniture, refrigerators, clothing, tires -- all apparently looted from shops and government offices.
"I'm happy to be here, but a little disappointed there weren't more soldiers to fight...still, it's a good feeling knowing people are that afraid of us," said 32-year-old Sergeant Brian Dow.
"I kinda felt like Madonna there, having flowers thrown at me."
