Intense explosions on outskirts of Baghdad

BAGHDAD (AFP) Apr 04, 2003
Fireballs could be seen early Saturday from Baghdad's southwestern outskirts, site of the airport US forces said they have captured, as warplanes roared overhead, said an AFP reporter in the Iraqi capital.

Intense explosions could be heard around 1:40 am (2140 GMT) coming from southwest of the city center as fireballs lit up the night sky.

On Friday night, a missile crashed into central Baghdad and a plane overflew the capital and drew heavy anti-aircraft fire.

The missile landed in the heart of Baghdad minutes after the capital's southeastern suburbs came under intensive bombing, sending red streaks into the night sky.

President Saddam Hussein earlier called on Baghdad residents in a televised address to resist US forces closing in on the city, after the US military said it had seized Baghdad's international airport.

SPACE.WIRE