The top U.S. military commander in Iraq says his troops yesterday killed Saddam Hussein’s two sons, Uday and Qusay. They were the most wanted men in Iraq besides their father. We speak with London Independent reporter Patrick Cockburn.

The top U.S. military commander in Iraq says his troops yesterday killed Sadaam Hussein’s two sons, Uday and Qusay. They were the most wanted men in Iraq besides their father.

The deaths occurred in Mosul after an intense gun battle Tuesday. 37-year-old Qusay was once seen as Saddam heir apparent. He headed the Special Republican Guard and the nation’s other elite security services. 39-year-old Uday headed up the Fedayeen milita.

Also killed in the raid was Qusay’s 14-year-old son and a bodyguard. Four U.S. soldiers were injured in the attack.

The New York Times reports that U.S. military leaders believe the killings may lead to an immediate wave of retribution attacks. In the long run, officials hope the deaths will demoralize surviving Baath Party members and other opponents of the U.S. occupation.

Some in Baghdad said Uday and Qusay were more feared than even their father. Celebrations in Baghdad last night went awry when a unit of the Florida National Guard mistook the celebratory gunfire as an attack. USA Today reports the U.S. troops shot a man twice man in the chest and a young girl who may have been only six was shot in the head.

• Patrick Cockburn, reporter for the London Independent, joining us from London. He is recently back from Iraq.