Some of the Fedayeen appeared to be surprised by the U.S. attack, Chilcote said.

CNN: Fedayeen fights hard in Hillah

Crowds of cheering Iraqis greeted the troops Wednesday as they made their way through the center of the city, Chilcote reported.

CNN: Saddam regime loses grip on Baghdad

"Initial reports indicate that this is clearly a case of denial and deception on the part of the Iraqi government, " Freakley told CNN's Ryan Chilcote.

CNN: U.S.: Mobile labs found in Iraq

Kiowa helicopters fired several rockets into a building, while U.S. soldiers fired grenade launchers to quell the resistance before they were able to enter, Chilcote said.

CNN: Fedayeen fights hard in Hillah

Three U.S. soldiers were wounded, none seriously, Chilcote said.

CNN: Fedayeen fights hard in Hillah

Soldiers from the U.S. 101st Airborne Division secured the central Iraqi city of Hillah, south of Baghdad, site of the ancient Hanging Gardens of Babylon, reported CNN Correspondent Ryan Chilcote, who is embedded with the unit.

CNN: Saddam regime loses grip on Baghdad

CNN's Ryan Chilcote said that just over half the 553 Russians and 263 citizens from the Commonwealth of Independent States working on commercial contracts in Iraq were expected to leave -- the rest staying put for now.

CNN: Russia firms split on Iraq airlift

Soldiers from the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division, 3rd Brigade engaged in an hour-long firefight with Iraqi soldiers believed to be members of Saddam Fedayeen 50 miles south of Baghdad, said CNN's Ryan Chilcote, who is travelling with the unit.

CNN: Fedayeen fights hard in Hillah