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Bombs rock Baghdad
25/03/2003 15:06 - (SA)
Baghdad - Baghdad was rocked on Tuesday by more intense bombing raids on the outskirts of the capital, where clouds of smoke from burning fuel trenches blackened the sky.
There was an intensifying series of strikes on the fringes of Baghdad about 15:00 (14:00 SA time).
An earlier bombardment, which an AFP correspondent could hear loudly from the centre of the Iraqi capital, seemed to be hitting the southern suburbs, where Washington says the elite Republican Guard was defending Baghdad's approaches.
US or British warplanes could be heard roaring at high altitude over the capital, but could not be seen amid the dark clouds.
The fuel trenches were ignited by Iraqi authorities on Saturday, apparently to blur visibility during the air attacks.
Cool winds had dropped by mid-afternoon, but Baghdad was engulfed in a sandstorm, cutting visibility to 500m and making it difficult to breathe.
Traffic continued to progress at a slow pace as residents went out to buy necessities or make visits.
Shops, businesses and schools have been closed since the US-led coalition launched the war on Thursday to topple President Saddam Hussein.
The morning bombardment came after overnight airstrikes pounded the Iraqi capital. Ground forces were within 100km of Baghdad, according to British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
- AFX
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