IRAQ-CONFLICT: Baghdad bombing continued through the night

By IPS Correspondents Reprint | | Print |

Att.Editors: The following item is from the Qatar News Agency (QNA)

BAGHDAD, Mar 22 2003 (IPS) - US bombers and fighters carried out a fresh raid on Baghdad at dawn on Saturday, and Iraqi anti-aircraft guns answered with sky-lighting blasts. Sirens were heard off and on as the sun rose.

Cruise missiles and precision bombs destroyed government buildings and targets in the surrounding area, but left the infrastructure largely intact. Water and electricity continued functioning Saturday after hours of the heaviest bombing to date started late Friday.

In the latest bombings, a series of 30 strong explosions shook the earth and heavy clouds hung over the city. Buildings stood in flames.

The Baghdad raids coincided with other raids in Mosul in northern Iraq, where renewed explosions were also heard, Al Jazeera television reported. Al Jazeera also said British planes also took part in the raids.