Cars, trucks and minibuses were seen driving in the direction of the northern ash-Shaab district opening onto a highway leading east to Diyala, around 100 kilometers (63 miles) from Baghdad.

The vehicles were stacked with mattresses, kitchen utensils, beds and food.

Women and children could be seen in the cars fleeing intense bombing of the capital.

In the ash-Shaab (people's) district, where three people were killed by the US-British bombing Monday, Jabbar Keleish, his wife, their 10 children and daughter-in-law got into three cars for a drive to the perceived safety of Ghalbiyah to the northwest.

"We'd better go after the bombing," said Kheleish, 49.

A considerable number of residents appeared to be leaving the district, located near a strategic spot.

"I'm closing the house and leaving with my family for a safer place. I will come back every now and then to see if something happened," said Ali Rishek, 53, before driving away with his wife and their three children.

SPACE.WIRE