Hot on the trail of Hussein

American military forces hunting for Saddam Hussein have raided several suspected hideouts in Mosul in the week since his sons died in a shootout here, as the hunt for the deposed Iraqi leader intensifies in this northern city of 2.3 million people. Searches also took place in Tikrit about 100 miles to the south.

Speaking less than a mile away from where US forces apprehended five to 10 of Hussein's bodyguards, Maj. Stan Murphy says he feels that time is running out for Iraq's former leader.

"I think it's getting very tight, as we take more of his bodyguards and trusted associates," says Major Murphy, the intelligence officer for the 1st Brigade combat team for the 4th Infantry Division.

"His circle is getting smaller by the day, and there are only so many spots he can go. He may try to get away to a more low-key area similar to Mosul or maybe a rural area," adds Murphy.

According to Murphy, the bodyguards are being interrogated, and he is awaiting "actionable intelligence."

Hussein may be in Tikrit, says Murphy, because "it's his home town - his friends and family are here. He has very close-knit ties with this community."

Farther north, US authorities have received reports of sightings in Mosul of Mr. Hussein, as well as his former defense minister, Gen. Sultan Hashim Ahmad and, frequently, his half brother, Sabawi Ibrahim Hasan.

Other intelligence reports indicate that Hussein had met with his sons Uday and Qusay in the city prior to the July 22 raid that left them dead.

"Many people are convinced he's here, in Mosul," says Col. Joseph Anderson, commander of the 101st Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade, the main US occupation force in the city.

The US dragnet aimed at capturing or killing Hussein also focused on his hometown of Tikrit.

Early Sunday, US troops stormed three farms in Tikrit, Hussein's hometown, in simultaneous predawn raids after receiving a tip that Saddam's new security chief was staying at one of the farmhouses, according to the Associated Press.

"We missed him by 24 hours," Lt. Col. Steve Russell told the AP.

And in Tikrit on Thursday, US troops captured a group of men that included several of Hussein's bodyguards. The men surrendered without a fight, according to US soldiers.

In recent days and weeks, several factors have led US forces to target Mosul as they act on a growing number of tips from Iraqis concerning Hussein's whereabouts, according to military officials.

"We have no lack of people giving us information - it's constant," Colonel Anderson says.

One major consideration is Hussein's close association with and reliance upon his sons, especially Qusay, who headed Iraq's intelligence and security services. As a pattern, Hussein "never traveled more than two hours away from his sons," Anderson says.

Among the few people Hussein trusted, his sons were likely providing some security for their father, US officials say.

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