War briefing

Baghdad

* U.S. Marines help topple 40-foot statue of Saddam Hussein in Firdos Square as Iraqis cheer and dance.

* At Baghdad University Marines face machine gun fire and rocket-propelled grenades in a firefight.

* Sporadic engagements continue around the city, particularly near bridges.

* The International Red Cross suspends humanitarian operations in the capital because the conditions are “chaotic and unpredictable.” The city’s hospitals are overrun with casualties.

* The headquarters of Iraq’s Olympic Committee, run by Hussein’s son Uday, is set on fire.

Northern Iraq

* U.S. C-17 cargo planes deliver M-1A1 Abrams tanks and Bradley armored vehicles to the Harir airfield to support operations of the 173rd Airborne Brigade.

Tikrit

* A mixture of Baath Party members and military troops are thought to be preparing for a stand at Hussein’s hometown of 260,000 people.

* Allied airstrikes “shape the battlefield” in advance of ground forces moving in. Targets include the Republican Guard’s Adnan division, a barracks and garrison.

Mosul

* U.S. Special Forces and Kurdish fighters seize a small town about 15 miles north of Mosul and capture 200 Iraqi troops.

Basra

* Coalition forces make the transition to security and stability efforts. Marines move to take the road that leads between Basra and Amarah.

Amarah

* Marines take over two former Iraqi army positions, including the former headquarters of its 10th Armored Division.

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Sources: Jane’s Defence Weekly; U.S. Central Command; Periscope; BBC. Researched by Times graphics reporter Kristen Walbolt