Posted on 09/11/2004 8:00:11 PM PDT by Born in a Rage
Explosions Rock Baghdad Near U.S. Offices
1 minute ago
BAGHDAD, Iraq - A series of strong explosions shook central Baghdad near dawn Sunday, and columns of thick black smoke rose from the Green Zone where U.S. and Iraqi government offices are located.
The barrage began about 5:30 a.m. and continued for more than an hour. Some of the blasts appeared near Haifa Street, which has become a "no go" area for international forces.
Sirens were heard in the Green Zone area.
The U.S. command press office had no detailed report.
Violent one confrontations in the center of Baghdad
Violent ones confrontations oppose Sunday morning the American army and the guerrilla in the center of Baghdad, noted a journalist of AFP.Les engagements began towards 05H00 (01H00 GMT) and of the noises of heavy weapons were heard with regular intervals. The district where the engagements take place is regarded as a stronghold of the partisans of former president Saddam Hussein.
Shiites carry a portrait of radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr as they participate in rituals to mark the anniiversary of the death Musa al-Kadham, a grandson of the prophet Mohammed, at the Kadhamiya mosque in Baghdad, Iraq (news - web sites), Saturday Sept. 11, 2004. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
The International Zone (formerly known as the Green Zone) is the heavily guarded area of closed-off streets in central Baghdad where US occupation authorities live and work. The Green Zone in the central city includes the main palaces of former President Saddam Hussein. The area houses the civilian ruling authority run by the Americans and British and the offices of major US consulting companies.
~snip
The headquarters of Paul Bremer and those working on reconstructing Iraq is surrounded by a wall of reinforced and blast-proof concrete, and guarded by tanks and helicopters. The Green Zone -- also called "The Bubble" - is the hub of the vision for the New Iraq. It is almost self-sufficient, and staff working there can be treated in the compound's hospital or run safely in its grounds. When they go out, it is by armored car with an armed military escort.
The Convention Center is where the United States has set up headquarters, and the coalition press office is at the Baghdad Convention Center. The state-of-the-art hall is in the same Green Zone as the Republican Palace. It was once used by the fallen regime for conferences, is home to a highly visible collection of troops, some of whom live in an office that has been converted to barracks.
The Iraqi Governing Council is headquartered in the handsome marble building....
The Green Zone is defended with coils of razor wire, chain-link fences, earthen berms and armed checkpoints. The area is defended by M1 Abrams tanks, Bradley fighting vehicles and HUMVEEs with .50 caliber machine guns on top. The Green Zone appears under siege, with barriers, high concrete walls and checkpoints. US officials are rarely visible outside it, and rules for British personnel bar them from leaving it unless accompanied by four bodyguards and an armored vehicle.
No kidding...
Spent the few first waking moments sprawled out on the deck w/ PPE gear on top of me. Good morning.
Another just hit nearby. My buds in the Green Zone say it's an interesting morning there as well.
Better it happens here than back home. Hey JeffH.
LFOD
Be well. I'm thinking of you all.
Blasts Rock Baghdad, Smoke Rises Above Green Zone
5 minutes ago
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - More than a dozen explosions shook central Baghdad at dawn on Sunday and thick plumes of smoke rose above the Green Zone compound housing Iraq (news - web sites)'s interim government and assembly and the U.S. and other embassies.
Witnesses said mortars appeared to have been fired into the Green Zone from the city's Sadr City district, a stronghold of radical Shi'ite fighters.
Sirens echoed across the zone. The U.S. military had no immediate word on any damage or casualties.
The Green Zone has been a regular target of attack, often by mortar or suicide car bomb, in recent months. Mortar bombs were fired at the first sessions of the interim assembly last week.
On Saturday evening insurgents fired six mortar rounds into central Baghdad and smoke rose close to a hotel complex used by foreign contractors and media, but there were no reports of casualties, the U.S. military said.
A source at the Interior Ministry said the blasts caused some damage to a mosque near the Palestine Hotel by the Tigris River. A spokesman for the 1st Cavalry Division said some civilian vehicles were also damaged.
Stay safe, okay? How are you and the rest of the Baghdad Chapter? You guys are in our thoughts and prayers.
Solution -
Level the Sadr City district.
MSNBC just broke in with the news. But now they just went to commercial.
As always, just in time for the Sunday morning talk shows.
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.