American armoured forces were racing towards Baghdad today after stunning successes on two fronts in a "rolling attack" on the Republican Guard. Military chiefs in Qatar were predicting that allied forces could even seize the chance to reach the outskirts of the capital tonight, depending on the strength of Iraqi opposition.
By mid-morning UK time, troops of the 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanised) were within 30 miles of Baghdad, the closest the Allies have yet come to the capital.
They encountered a few abandoned tanks and personnel carriers on the road from Karbala, but there was no sign of a large Iraqi presence.
Asked if they would reach Baghdad today, a senior US source said: "Just keep watching the television."
