Since I unfortunately do not speak or understand Arabic (it's on my to-do list), I have to rely on second-hand and third-hand sources. American Soldiers in Baghdad? is a story from a the Hungarian daily Magyar Hírlap, which in turn is quoting the London-based Arab paper As-Sharq El-Ausat. According to this story, American commandos have been detonating explosives near industrial and government installations. The damage was said to be insubstantial.

Needless to say, I'm skeptical. Why would American commandos run the risk of being in Baghdad right now, and increase that risk by setting off firecrackers? It could part of a psychological campaign to destabilize the regime, but I wonder whether the benefit of any such action weighs up against the risk. They would be more effective as a striking force once the war starts if they are indeed in Baghdad. On the other hand, if they're setting off firecrackers in Saddam's back yard, it might just have the desired psychological effect. It may just make him sleep a tad less soundly.