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

CNN: Fedayeen fights hard in Hillah

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