Multiple explosions were heard in the direction of Mosul, and flare was seen on the horizon, it said, adding huge explosions were also heard in the direction of Basra.

On late Thursday, there was exchange of artillery fire between US and Iraqi troops near Basra.

A US war on Iraq has entered the second day on Friday, as US vehicles, accompanied by low-fly helicopters, moved into desert in southern Iraq.

The United States started the war in its first preemptive strike in the US history at 0530 a.m. (0230 GMT) on Thursday, about 90 minutes after the expiration of an ultimatum issued by US President George W. Bush for Iraqi strongman Saddam Hussein to leave the country or face war.

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 21, 2003)