DJ Strong Blasts/Baghdad -2: Sirens From `Green Zone' Heard

[peterh]

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/special_packages/iraq/7800995.htm


BAGHDAD (AP)--Strong explosions shook the center of Baghdad late Monday, and
sirens could be heard from the U.S.-controlled area known as the "green zone."
About three explosions occurred about 10:35 p.m., followed by sirens and a
recorded message from the green zone to "take cover."
It wasn't immediately clear precisely where the blasts occurred or whether
there was any damage or casualties.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires
01-26-04 1448ET(AP-DJ-01-26-04 1948GMT)


:eyes:

[fertilizeonarbusto]

1. Thank God Chimpy accomplished this mission

*sarcasm off*
Murderous cretin!

[Barrett808]

2. Reuters: Blasts in Baghdad, Sirens Wail at Coalition HQ

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Loud explosions echoed across central Baghdad Monday evening, followed by warning sirens from the "green zone" where the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq is based, Reuters witnesses said.

"Take cover, take cover," said a warning message played over the "green zone" loudspeakers after the blasts.

The compound on the west bank of the Tigris river has come under rocket and mortar attack several times in recent months.

A U.S. military spokeswoman had no immediate comment on the blasts. Just over a week ago a suicide bomber detonated half a ton of explosives outside the U.S. seat of power in Iraq, killing at least 20 people in the deadliest attack since the capture of Saddam Hussein.

Two United Nations security experts are in Iraq assessing whether the country is safe enough for U.N. staff to return to assist in transferring sovereignty back to Iraqis.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20040126/wl_nm/iraq_blast_dc&cid=574&ncid=1480

[Flagg]

3. BRING' EM ON ! cried the AWOL CHIMP

[Barrett808]

4. Strong Blasts Heard in Central Baghdad

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Strong explosions shook the center of Baghdad late Monday, and sirens could be heard from the U.S.-controlled area known as the "green zone."

Three explosions occurred about 10:35 p.m., followed by sirens and a recorded message from the green zone loud speakers to "take cover."

A coalition spokesman said at least one rocket exploded near the helicopter landing zone about 200 yards from the Republican Palace, used by administrator L. Paul Bremer and senior coalition staff.

It was not immediately clear precisely where the other blasts occurred or whether there was any damage or casualties.

The attack occurred three days after a U.N. security assessment team arrived in Baghdad to determine whether it is safe for the United Nations (news - web sites) to return its international staff to Iraq (news - web sites).

Secretary-General Kofi Annan (news - web sites) withdrew international staff last year following two vehicle bombings against the U.N. headquarters here, including the Aug. 19 attack that killed 22 people, including the top U.N. envoy, Sergio Viera de Mello.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040126/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_blasts&cid=540&ncid=1480

[spinbaby]

5. This happens nearly every day

But they've solved the problem by not talking about it.

[peterh]

6. small update....

Updates with military confirming rocket attack, no casualties)

BAGHDAD (AP)--A rocket landed Monday night in the U.S. controlled area known
as the "green zone" with a loud explosion, but caused no injuries or damage, the
U.S. military said.
The rocket fell in an open parking lot that was unoccupied, said a spokesman
at the U.S. central command inside the green zone. There were no casualties or
damage to equipment, said the spokesman, speaking on customary condition of
anonymity.
The explosion was preceded by the sounds of two smaller blasts at about 10:35
p.m. local time but their origin remained unclear.