Posted on 12/25/2003 7:07:30 PM PST by optimistically_conservative
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Guerrillas fired mortar rounds into the center of Baghdad, hitting an area near the headquarters of the U.S.-led occupation authority in Iraq (news - web sites).
Three mortar rounds thudded into the area where the complex is situated shortly before midnight on Thursday, witnesses said, ending a day punctuated with rocket and mortar attacks on hotels used by Westerners, embassies and an apartment block.
Earlier, on what was a gloomy Christmas Day in the capital, a U.S. military spokesman said three or four rockets landed near the complex, once a palace of captured Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein (news - web sites), on the western bank of the river Tigris.
There was no immediate word of any casualties or damage in the midnight attack.
The guerrilla attacks in Baghdad were the most extensive since Saddam's capture on December 13 and followed warnings by U.S. officials that there could be spectacular attacks during the holiday season.
The U.S. military said an American soldier had been killed by a roadside bomb in the capital on Wednesday, raising the death toll to four in attacks that day.
A U.S. military camp in the town of Baquba, some 40 miles north of Baghdad, came under attack. Eight soldiers were wounded, two seriously, a U.S. officer said.
EMBASSIES TARGETED
Guerrillas fired rockets that hit the outside wall of the Iranian embassy, the Turkish embassy and a residential building next to the German embassy. The rockets blew a hole in the front wall of the Turkish mission and shattered windows.
Two hotels used by Westerners and an Iraqi apartment block nearby were also targeted.
Shortly after nightfall, U.S. forces using aircraft and artillery pounded suspected guerrilla hideouts on the outskirts of Baghdad for the third consecutive night as part of Operation Iron Grip, aimed at flushing guerrillas from the capital.
Washington blames attacks on Saddam supporters and foreign Islamic militants.
The killing of the American soldier brought to 206 the number of U.S. military deaths from hostile fire since Washington announced the end of major combat in Iraq on May 1.
The bombings added to the gloom surrounding Christmas celebrations.
Baghdad churches did not hold traditional midnight mass because of lack of security, clerics said. Iraq's minority Christians, however, attended masses on Thursday morning.
The lift area between the eighth and ninth floors of the Ishtar Sheraton Hotel was struck. Debris and shattered glass littered the hotel's lobby.
A manager at the hotel said there were no casualties.
He said the attackers left behind leaflets urging staff at the Ishtar Sheraton to stop working at the hotel and demanding U.S. forces leave Iraq.
Another rocket hit the Bourj al-Hayat Hotel, used by Americans. No one was hurt.
A good mortar man can hang a dozen and boogie before the first one hits.
Well, almost...
He’ll be gone before any retaliatory fire hits anyway.
They pop three and it’s “run away.” That sounds about right.
And a Merry Christmas to all those that just woke up. Ha.
Can you be a little more specific?
The term "body count" refers to dead bodies and not to the wounded.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.