SPACE WIRE
Fierce clash around Baghdad's al-Rashid hotel
BAGHDAD (AFP) Apr 07, 2003
Fighting was raging Monday afternoon in the area of Baghdad's landmark al-Rashid hotel, which has been cordoned off by Iraqi fighters, hours after a US raid on the nearby presidential palace, AFP correspondents said.

Iraqi paramilitary fighters were seen firing assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenades from different angles toward the area of the al-Rashid, they said.

It was not clear who was returning fire, as the entire neighborhood has been cordoned off by Iraqi forces since a lightning raid in the morning by US forces on the Republican Palace compound in central Baghdad.

SPACE.WIRE