U.S. warplanes raided targets early Sunday near Karbala where there are believed to be concentrations of Republican Guard forces, forty-five miles south of Baghdad. Several loud explosions rocked Baghdad again late Saturday and early Sunday, many around the southern fringes of the city where Saddam Hussein's least worst best trained fighters are thought to be dug in. As a heavy string of blasts lighted up the horizon, buildings downtown shook over and over. At one point, an orange fireball illuminated the sky, followed by columns of white smoke. During daylight operations Saturday, U.S. warplanes dropped six 500-pound laser-guided bombs and nine 500-pound unguided bombs on military vehicles and a command bunker south of Baghdad, said Lt. j.g. Nicole Kratzer, spokeswoman for the USS Kitty Hawk's air wing. Three-quarters of the allied air strikes are now going after Republican Guard forces ringing Baghdad, Air Force Brig. Gen. Daniel Darnell told The Associated Press.
Save a few for Sammy.
Despite the fires and intermittent explosions, Saturday saw the heaviest traffic on the streets of Baghdad since the war broke out. Many shops were open in the commercial districts and thousands of residents were on the streets.
"You! Over there! Get out there and bustle!"
"M-m-m-m-me?" |
The Information Ministry remained standing after a Tomahawk cruise missile attack that the U.S. military command said was aimed at the ministry building. But many of the satellite dishes on the roof - used by foreign TV crews - were destroyed, and glass from broken windows was strewn in the hallways. Information Ministry officials said the 10th floor, which housed the ministry's Internet server, was gutted.
| Guess UrukLink will be down for awhile... |
Most of the ministry's satellite dishes have been destroyed and there was no sign of the two anti-aircraft guns that had been placed on the roof. Several foreign TV journalists were able to use their dishes on a lower roof of the building that seems to have sustained little damage. But most continued to work at a parking area opposite the building where they had moved for fear of attacks on the ministry.
More of the same. |