© 2026 Spokane Public Radio.
An NPR member station
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
March 19–25 is our 2026 Spring Pledge Drive—please donate now to support Spokane Public Radio!

Baghdad Shuts Down as U.S. Troops Near

As the siege of Baghdad nears, the city mysteriously plunges into darkness in the first widespread power outage since the war began. Streets are empty, and southern and western roads out of the city are blocked. Iraq's information ministry maintains U.S. forces aren't within 100 miles of capital. Hear NPR's Anne Garrels.

Copyright 2003 NPR

Anne Garrels