         Sentence 1: U.S. ‘troops. encountered _ no.  resistarice -uiring’ the’ five-hour sweep -near  Tikrit , Saddam Husseifi 's:hometown and the  center ofa region SrBaaiy Par ty supporters:         Sentence: 2: Tikrit is. Sajldaing Hussei 's  hotnetown and the.regiqg-aro%nd it is known as  a hotbed, of Baath Party supporters-arid former.  high-ranking-haqi military officials.    ae    *