As US forces progressed north through Iraq to Baghdad via Karbala, they engaged in some ferocious fighting with Iraqi soldiers at the holy city of Najaf, who were defending the approach to the capital
US forces had reported their first serious battle with Iraq's so-called elite Republican Guard at Hindiya, near Karbala, on 31 March
Overnight on 1 April, units from the American 3rd Infantry Division launched a major offensive on four Republican Guard divisions around Karbala
US forces were then able to move forward to the outskirts of Baghdad to begin their push on the capital
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