Cruise missiles slam into Baghdad

Published Mar 20, 2003

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Baghdad - United States cruise missiles slammed into the centre of Baghdad on Thursday night, shaking the city with a series of massive explosions, Reuters eyewitnesses said.

Reuters journalist Nadim Ladki said missiles flew in at a very low altitude and hit multiple targets.

Plumes of smoke rose from the vicinity of the foreign ministry and the planning ministry after missile strikes. At least one of Saddam Hussein's presidential palaces was also hit.

The whole western bank of the Tigris river which cuts through the city was shrouded in smoke. Several government ministries are located on the west bank of the river.

To the east of the city there were several explosions in the vicinity of the al Rashid military base.

The blasts came shortly after air-raid sirens sounded in Baghdad and anti-aircraft fire lit up the night sky.

The US air attack was far more intense than previous strikes early on Thursday which launched Washington's war against Iraq.

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