In pictures: Iraq war - day eight

In pictures: Iraq war - day eight

1 of 11 US-led forces advancing towards the Iraqi capital Baghdad continued to meet fierce resistance.

2 of 11 The allies were involved in major battles at Najaf and Nasiriya, and on Thursday a new hotspot emerged - Samawah.

3 of 11 Thursday saw a fifth day of fighting near Nasiriya, where 37 US marines were reportedly injured by "friendly fire".

4 of 11 Two more US soldiers were injured when an artillery vehicle exploded after a misfire near Najaf.

5 of 11 Overnight, Baghdad was again pounded by a barrage of bombs and missiles.

6 of 11 And late on Wednesday, up to 1,000 US troops parachuted into northern Iraq, opening the second front.

7 of 11 Iraqis - outraged by what they said was an allied raid on a Baghdad residential area on Wednesday - remained defiant.

8 of 11 At least 30 were injured in the blast, for which coalition members have as yet refused to accept responsibility

9 of 11 Many rallied around President Saddam Hussein, vowing to repel what they called "colonisers".

10 of 11 There were reports that demand for green military fatigues worn by Baath party activists had doubled in Baghdad.

11 of 11 But as fighting continues, aid agencies again warned it would bring humanitarian disaster to Iraq and the region.