The Pentagon said it believed that the building used by Saddam had been hit, and earlier reports said that several people were injured in the attack on the leadership's accommodation. The United States started a war on Iraq in its first preemptive strike in the US history, about 90 minutes after the expiration of an ultimatum issued by US President George W. Bush for Saddam to leave the country or face war.

It was learnt that three US warships and F-117 warplanes took part in the attacks, and 40 Tomahawk cruise missiles and precision-guided missiles were fired in the three rounds of the attacks. Big explosion were heard, and the sky was lit up by flares and sirens sounded throughout the city of 5 million people. Iraqi anti-aircraft forces swiftly hit back at the US warplanes. Witnesses said many parts of Baghdad were hit, with the eastern part being hit intensively.

Baghdadis were taking shelter at home, while communications system in the city have not been destroyed and telephone services were still running as normal, they added.

The official Iraqi TV station did not show anything about the US offensives, but was only airing patriotic songs.

The first round of air raids started at 0530 a.m. (0230 GMT) and lasted for about 20 minutes. After a brief interval, the air attacks resumed. The third round of air raids started at 0636 a.m.(0336 GMT).

The United States has accused Iraq of hiding and secretly developing banned weapons as well as having linkage with the al-Qaeda terror network, and vowed to disarm Iraq by force if necessary. Iraq strongly denies the US allegation.

(Xinhua News Agency March 20, 2003)