Print This Page Email This Page See Most Sent

• How and Why Cruise Missiles Strike First • How to Help Kids Cope With War • Reaction Around the World to U.S. Attack

U.S. ground troops on Thursday crossed into southern Iraq from Kuwait as bombs fell.

Reporters traveling with the 1st Marine Division into Iraq saw burning oil wells that sent a black cloud into the night sky under a nearly full moon. The Marines also had some skirmishes with Iraqi troops.

There were no immediate details on the size and makeup of the entering force, or the location of incursion.

In the hours before crossing the border, the Marines put on their full chemical suits masks, gloves and full combat gear three times in less than two hours because of Scud missile launches into Kuwait.

photo credit and caption:

U.S. and British troops take shelter in "scud trenches" during an unconfirmed Iraqi missile attack in the Kuwaiti desert, Thursday March 20, 2003. After the first the bombs and cruise missiles fell on Baghdad early Thursday, reports said at least three missiles were fired by Iraq into Kuwait. (AP Photo/Dan Chung/MOD POOL)

Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.