Rockets Attack on Occupation HQ in Baghdad
- Author: Al-Jazeera
- Publish date:07/03/2004
- Section:WORLD HEADLINES
A series of rockets have been fired at the headquarters of the US occupation administration in Baghdad on the eve of the planned signing of an interim constitution for Iraq.
Police said there were no casualties from the Sunday blasts. Ten rockets were fired from a parked car and the attackers fled, police said, adding that they had also found explosives in the car along with two rockets that had not been fired.
The rockets were aimed at buildings in the "Green Zone", a heavily fortified area on the west bank of the Tigris River that used to be one of Saddam Hussein's palace complexes and is now the main base of occupying forces in Iraq.
The explosions echoed across Baghdad. The area has been attacked by rockets and mortars several times in recent months.
The al-Rashid hotel was hit on 26 October, when US Deputy Defence Secretary Paul Wolfowitz was staying there, killing an American soldier and wounding 17 others.
No one is currently living in the hotel, although occupying forces still use it for activities.
**'Red glow and sirens'***
A red glow illuminated the area and sirens sounded in downtown Baghdad after the rounds hit.
Witnesses said they heard weapons fire and saw flashes shoot through the air.
"I saw about a dozen rockets and I heard a huge explosion," said Muhammad Manhal, a 32-year-old taxi driver.
"The rockets passed over the street from where the old information ministry was. I didn't see where they landed exactly," he said.
"I heard ground-fire then I saw flashes in the air," a US soldier at the scene said.
The Green Zone is sealed off to the public and has been periodically hit by rocket and mortar fire since October. It is one of the most heavily-guarded parts of the city.
The area was last targeted by rebel fire on Wednesday just as the top US official in Iraq, Paul Bremer, was due to speak to the press one day after more than 170 people died in attacks at Shia shrines in Baghdad and Karbala.
Sunday's attack came as Iraqi leaders appeared to have reached a compromise on a new interim constitution and looked likely to sign the much-delayed document on Monday.
**Four Iraqis killed in attack on police station as Shiites reach deal regarding constitution***
Iraqi fighters in a car fired rocket-propelled grenades at a police station in northern Iraq on Sunday, killing four Iraqi civilians, police and witnesses said.
According to The AP, two Iraqi police officers were injured in the attack in Mosul.
Police Lt. Khalid Fadh Il said the attack on the al-Sukar station was launched from a passing car at about 8 a.m. Officers fired back, the report added.
Meanwhile, a prominent member of Iraq Governing Council said Sunday that a deal had been reached on the country's interim constitution after talks with Iraq's top Shiite leader and the document would be signed on Monday.
"There will be very good news very soon, the signing will take place Monday," Governing Council member Muwaffaq al-Rubaie told reporters after a brief meeting with Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.
**PHOTO CAPTION***
A fire can be seen behind the former Presidential Palace after missiles were fired Sunday evening in Baghdad, Iraq. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)