Three or four loud explosions shook central Baghdad early on Thursday morning in the area around the United States-led coalition’s main headquarters in the capital, but there were no reported casualties, the US military said.
”We are aware of three or four impacts in the vicinity of the Green Zone at around 6.30am [3.30am GMT]. There were no casualties reported,” a military spokesperson said.
AFP reporters had heard powerful blasts, which started at about 6.20am (3.20am GMT), that lasted for about 10 minutes laced with a barrage of automatic gunfire.
A few more explosions were heard after 7am (4am GMT), but sounded more like heavy weapons fire.
The Green Zone is the US military’s term for the coalition’s citadel-like headquarters on the western bank of the Tigris River, which stretches for a few kilometres and includes one of Saddam Hussein’s opulent presidential palaces.
Guerrillas have periodically shelled the Green Zone with rockets and mortars since late October.
Mortars were also fired at the Sheraton hotel late on Wednesday, the US military said, but there were no reported casualties and the Sheraton’s staff denied the building had been hit.
The US military also kicked off an operation, called Iron Grip, early on Wednesday morning in which soldiers fired artillery and fixed-wing aircraft fired on rebel positions.
The operation, whose sounds thundered across the capital, continued into Thursday, but did not appear to have anything to do with the explosions on Christmas Day.
The US-led coalition administering Iraq on Wednesday warned its members to be on heightened alert against attacks over the holiday season.
”Terrorists do not distinguish between military and civilian targets,” a notice warned.
It said coalition employees should be extra vigilant if they cannot avoid visiting residential areas, hotels or restaurants where foreigners gather. — Sapa-AFP