Explosions rock 'Green Zone' inside Baghdad

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

At least 30 explosions have gone off inside the "Green Zone" in Baghdad, Iraq where the United States Embassy is located and where many Iraqi Government buildings are housed. Iraqi military officials said no evacuations of residents were ordered from the Dora area.

The explosions are believed to be the result of a fire which broke out inside the Forward Operating Base Falcon, a U.S. ammunitions depot inside the zone, but it is not known if the fire was started due to an attack.

"An ammunition holding area caught on fire. It's in our operating base in the Rasheed area of the city. The ammunition holding area contains tank and artillery rounds as well as small arms ammunition," said Lieutenant Colonel of the 4th Infantry Division, Jonathan Withington.

"The cause of the fire is not immediately known. The explosions are from ammunition 'cooking off.' [We are] trying to determine the cause or any threat to the population," said U.S. military spokesman, Lt. Col, Christopher C. Garver.

Reports say that flares and helicopters could be seen coming from and into the zone.

So far, there are no reports of any deaths or injuries.

The explosions began around 4:00 p.m. EDT.

Sources

"Explosions rock Baghdad as US arms dump catches fire" — Baku Today, October 10, 2006
"Blasts rock US army base in Iraq" — BBC News Online, October 10, 2006
"Fire breaks out at U.S. base in Baghdad" — Reuters, October 10, 2006
Associated Press. "Fire erupts at US ammo depot in Baghdad, setting off series of blasts" — International Herald Tribune, October 10, 2006
"Barrage of blasts rock Baghdad" — Reuters, October 10, 2006
"Blasts rock central Baghdad: witnesses" — Reuters, October 10, 2006

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