There is now little threat of an Iraqi chemical or biological attack against coalition forces, US military sources said today.
"Now that we have penetrated Baghdad's outer ring, the likelihood [of a chemical or biological attack] is negligible," said Captain Adam Mastrianni, the intelligence officer of the 101st Airborne Division's Aviation Brigade.
Soldiers in the division have now taken off their anti-chemical and biological suits.
US military planners had feared that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein might launch a chemical attack when US and British troops reached three zones, namely Karbala, the outskirts of Baghdad and the capital city itself.
"We think that quite frankly, even if Saddam Hussein is in control, which is still debatable, he's paralysed by the fact he knows he will be prosecuted over warcrimes," he said.
"If he somehow survives this, and if he doesn't use them, then he looks kind of like the victim to the Arab world," he added.