WAR.WIRE
2,500 prisoners taken by marines advancing on Baghdad: US
AS-SALIYAH, Qatar (AFP) Apr 04, 2003
 Some 2,500 Iraqi troops are reported to have surrendered to US Marines who clashed with Iraqi Republican Guard forces as they advanced north on Baghdad from the town of Al-Kut, a US spokesman said here Friday.

"There are reports of 2,500 Iraqi troops who surrendered between Al-Kut and Baghdad," Navy Captain Frank Thorp said here at US Central Command's forward planning base.

"This is the First Marine Expeditionary Force taking on the Baghdad Divsion of Republican Guards."

He said units from the US Army's Fifth Corps as well as the First Marine Expedtionary Force were "continuing to move toward the vicinity of Baghdad," in stronger numbers than on Thursday.

WAR.WIRE