IRAQ: Four explosions hit Baghdad

By IPS Correspondents Reprint | | Print |

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

BAGHDAD, May 2 2003 (IPS) - Four big explosions shook the Iraqi capital Baghdad today near the presidential palace which the US forces use as headquarters.

The BBC radio said electric power was cut from some areas in the city immediately after the expositions.

Meanwhile Al-Arabia satellite channel said the explosions have most probably resulted from the detonation of old ammunitions belonging to the Iraqi army, especially the Republic Guard forces which had been guarding the Republic Palace.

The channel said no fires or columns of smoke have been seen, which suggested that the US forces have been destroying ammunitions in the area surrounding the presidential palace. But it said it could not confirm whether the explosions were resulting from the destruction of ammunitions or the military operations between Iraqis and the US forces.