Crossing the Diyala River

Marines sit atop amphibious assualt vehicles crossing the Diyala River on their way into Baghdad.  (Rick Loomis / LAT)

A Marine hugs his weapon while another, at lower-right, takes pictures.  (Rick Loomis / LAT)

Cpl. Devin Church of Pacific Grove, Calif., is ready for combat as he rides an assault vehicle toward Baghdad.  (Rick Loomis / LAT)

Iraqis break into a building during widespread looting south of Baghdad. Looting is common in Iraqi towns where police have fled and allied troops have moved on.  (Rick Loomis / LAT)

A man carries a bathtub he took from an abandoned building.  (Rick Loomis / LAT)

A man rolls a container down the road during widespread looting south of Baghdad.  (Rick Loomis / LAT)

An Iraqi man walks past a torn poster of Saddam Hussein.  (Rick Loomis / LAT)

An Iraqi man tears up a poster of Saddam Hussein.  (Rick Loomis / LAT)