US marines came under heavy fire Thursday from Saddam Hussein's loyalists along the northern banks of the Tigris river, with one marine reported killed and 13 wounded, a US officer said.
"There were at least 13 casualties and one soldier killed in action," said First Sergeant Jeff Treiber.
The marines 1st Division, 5th Regiment captured one of Saddam's main palace complexes on the northern side of the Tigris, said Treiber, of the regiment's 1st battalion Tracks Company.
The marines were under fire since 2.00 am (2200 GMT on Wednesday) from fighters hiding in civilian areas, in buildings, cars, behind lines of laundry on rooftops and beneath bridges, a correspondent on the ground saw.
Heavy fighting was still raging with Iraqi fighters using AK-47s and rocket-propelled grenades, the correspondent said.
"It's a show of force, we can go where we want," said Treiber, adding that artillery fire could be heard outside the walls of Saddam Hussein's Azmiyah palace.
Major Pete Farnum also said a nearby mosque had been secured.
"There were intelligence reports the mosque was a Saddam stronghold," Farnum said, describing the mosque as being close to the northern banks of the Tigris.
"We displayed our ability to impose our will," he said, in reference to the marines capturing the mosque and palace.
A BBC correspondent said US troops had searched the mosque, where Saddam Hussein was rumoured to be hiding.
"We're bringing back 20 POWs," Farnum also said.
At one point, marines from the Tracks Company patrolled a neighbourhood where they believe Saddam and one of his sons were hiding when they came under ambush along a small alley, the correspondent said.
A heavy verse of Kalashnikov fire ensued and the marines received two rocket-propelled grenades, leaving one marine with shrapnel wounds to the face, bleeding all over the vehicle. He was later evacuated.
"It's a dirty job but it's part of it," said 23-year-old Corporal Michael Sonne, amid the thundering explosions.
"It was a never ending drive" Battalion Gunner David Bednarcik said of the heavy fighting.
One marine who lost his buddy said they had been ambushed on a road.
"Humvees don't protect us in a fight," said the unidentified marine, who had been riding in a soft-top Humvee all-terrain vehicle when attacked and the marine was killed.
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