Dubai: Intensifying its two-pronged attack, US-led coalition forces on March 21 moved into Iraq with a sustained ground offensive, capturing the strategic Southern port city of Umm Qasr and unleashed air strikes over Baghdad, targeting a palace of President Saddam Hussein and other premises of Iraqi leadership.

US and British troops advanced more than 75 kms deep into Iraq on the second day of war and were said to be close to Basra, but were facing pockets of resistance.

American officials said the Western forces seized important airfields in Western Iraq without encountering resistance.

The coalition has claimed that Iraqi troops had set about 30 oil wells on fire.

In the first combat casualty for the allied forces, one American soldier was killed.

The coalition also suffered first casualties, when a US marine helicopter crashed in Kuwait killing 12 soldiers on board – eight British and four Americans. There was no indication that hostile fire brought down the helicopter, according to Pentagon.

However, Iraq said it shot down a US or British fighter plane after it fired a missile and the aircraft crashed in Kuwait, which was the target for Iraqi scud missiles, which were intercepted by the American patriot missiles.

Iraq acknowledged that one of Saddam Hussein's homes was hit by US strikes, but said the President and other members of his family were safe.

"They rocketed the residence of his (Saddam) household. But thank God, they are all safe," Iraqi Information Minister Mohammad Saeed al-Sahaaf told reporters in Baghdad.

There was speculation in the American media about the fate of Saddam Hussein, but the White House said there were "lot of rumours swirling".

US President George W Bush said "war is making progress" and the soldiers will "stay on task" while British Premier Tony Blair said there are signs of continuing Iraqi desertions and disagreements.

In Washington, Pentagon also claimed that Iraqi troops have already begun to surrender when they see US and allied forces approaching. An Arab satellite channel also showed pictures of at least two Iraqis surrendering.

Elsewhere, coalition forces bombed the Iraqi controlled Northern city of Mosul, where a series of explosions were heard, sending plumes of smoke.

Brushing aside initial resistance, US forces were headed towards Baghdad, destroying on their way six or seven trucks and several tanks. Moving nearly 70 kms inside Iraq on the second day of their military operation, seizing an airstrip in Southern Iraq.

"We have seized the airfield and will secure it until we get rid of the unexploded ordnance," said major Morris Goins of the US Army's third infantry division.

PTI