IRAQ: A barrage of rockets yesterday hit hotels used by US workers and foreign journalists and the oil ministry in the centre of Baghdad.
Rocket-propelled grenades apparently fired from the back of a donkey cart hit the Palestine and Sheraton hotels in the heavily guarded centre of the Iraqi capital. At least one person was wounded. A donkey cart bearing a rocket launcher was found in an adjoining street, the US military said.
Blasts were also reported at the oil ministry building, where a fire broke out sending up thick black smoke. Fire engines moved in to tackle the blaze as US troops sealed off the area. There were no casualties.
Iraqi police said another donkey cart carrying a rocket launcher was found near the ministry.
At the Palestine Hotel, one of the rockets left a hole in the wall of the 16th floor room.
A British contractor, Mr Anthony Bateman, who was staying in the room next door, said: "I was in the bathroom when I heard a huge explosion and the sound of splintering glass. The nose cone from one of the missile had landed on my balcony and blown all the windows out."
A further two donkey carts loaded with dozens of rockets were reported to be found near the Italian embassy. They were attached to timers but had yet to fire.
The attack was the latest in a concerted bombing campaign aimed at "softer" targets. A fortnight ago a massive car bomb killed 27 Italian military police in the southern city of Nasuriya.
Last month, insurgents fired a volley of rockets at the al- Rasheed Hotel in which the US Deputy Defence Secretary, Mr Paul Wolfowitz, was staying.
The Baghdad attacks occurred at the height of Operation Iron Hammer, the US military counteroffensive against rebels in and around the capital that has led to a significant decrease in rebel activity, US commanders said.
Col Brad May, a US military spokesman, said: "This shows the variety as they \ try to get one step ahead of us. It's certain that you'd have the element of surprise by using a donkey cart."