SPACE WIRE
Fresh fighting, huge explosions heard in Baghdad
BAGHDAD (AFP) Apr 08, 2003
Five huge explosions followed by machine-gun fire were heard early Tuesday on the west bank of the Tigris river, apparently near Saddam Hussein's main Republican Palace, and a fire could be seen blazing in the area, an AFP correspondent reported.

What appeared to be Iraqi anti-aircraft fire was also seen in the dawn sky over the Iraqi capital after the explosions, which came at around 5:00 a.m. (0100 GMT).

An hour later the gunfire had died out but the fire was still burning in what appeared to be the west of the palace compound, engulfing vegetation in the grounds as well as palace buildings.

The palace compound spreads over a large area on the western side of the Tigris.

On Monday US forces said their tanks and armoured vehicles had smashed into the heart of Baghdad, destroying a huge statue of Saddam and raiding three of his palaces.

SPACE.WIRE