Fires broke out in the compound where troops could be seen moving around the outside wall on the east side of the river.

Heavy explosions were heard in Baghdad earlier in the morning, apparently from artillery fire to the west of the capital.

The explosions were first heard around 6:15 am (0215 GMT) and continued.

The activity seemed to be coming from the direction of the international airport, which was seized two days ago by US troops.

The sound of machine-gun fire could also be heard intermittently.

US warplanes had flown over Baghdad all night, sometimes at low altitude, without bombing any targets.

SPACE.WIRE