Blue skies bring more bombs to battered city

THE people of Baghdad knew a punishing attack was coming after a two-day sandstorm that grounded many coalition warplanes gave way to blue skies.

Powerful explosions continued through the night and after the sun rose yesterday morning, with aircraft swooping low over the city. Anti-aircraft fire was intermittent.

Grey smoke drifted across the capital from the bombings and from fires started by authorities to conceal targets. Police and ambulance sirens wailed.