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