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The US-led coalition forces launched a new wave of intensive airstrikes on the Iraqi capital in the early hours of Monday, Al Jazeera TV reported.
Huge explosions were heard and big fire was seen in the eastern part of the city.
According to the Qatar-based TV channel, a shopping center near the building of the Iraqi Information Ministry was hit and was on fire. Fire fighters were rushing to the site to put out the fire. Baghdad has been under repeated air raids since the United States and Britain launched a war to topple Iraqi President Saddam Hussein on March 20.
About two hours ago, coalition warplanes bombed the western and central parts of Baghdad.
It was reported that one of the presidential palaces of Saddam Hussein was targeted in the raid and positions believed to belong to elite Iraqi units on the outskirts of the capital were also hit. In an air attack in the industrial area south of Baghdad earlier Sunday six civilians were killed, Iraqi officials said. At least more than 350 civilians have been killed and over 3,500 others wounded since the war started on March 20, according to Iraqi officials.
(Xinhua News Agency March 31, 2003)
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