Iraqi Forces Open Fire on US Marines

A convoy of US Marines has come under fire from the Iraqi army. The BBC reports that after crossing the Iraqi border early this morning, the convoy was almost immediately attacked with missiles and small arms fire. The US troops had to call in British artillery support.

US Marines and British commandos are currently pushing towards oil fields in southern Iraq. Last night, armoured columns began moving deep into Iraq. Prior to this, Iraqi positions had been subjected to intensive artillery fire. Over 500 rounds were reportedly fired in the space of two hours.