Iraq rebels use donkeys as missile launchers
The attacks were dismissed by a US general as "militarily insignificant" but exposed weaknesses in gathering intelligence on insurgents.
The brazen, co-ordinated strikes at some of Baghdad's most heavily-protected civilian sites defied a US crackdown. Two other donkeys one pulling a rocket launcher and another rigged to a bomb were found within hours, one 30 yards from the Italian embassy.
A civilian contractor was seriously injured at the Palestine Hotel, where many foreign journalists and American workers are staying. Police said no one was hurt at the ministry or the other hotel.
"They're trying to break our willbut they're militarily insignificant," said Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt, the US military deputy director for operations. But he conceded the insurgents were playing off US weaknesses, specifically in terms of gathering intelligence that could have prevented the attacks.
"A very clever enemy who knows that we don't have the best intelligence in the world will find some seams, will run some vulnerabilities," Kimmitt said. "But our intelligence is getting better every day."
The colourful donkey carts presumably were used because they are so common in Baghdad and attract little attention from security forces on the alert for car bombs.
Painted on one of the carts was a traditional inscription: "My heart is with you, my dear."
Officials said one of the donkeys was strapped to a propane tank and an explosive device. After the explosions, soldiers were seen searching donkey carts around Baghdad.
"The enemy is inventive and ingenious but he has shown us another of his tactics and I would guess he won't be using that again anytime soon," Kimmitt said.
The attacks occurred at the height of Operation Iron Hammer, the US military counter-offensive against rebels in and around the capital.
The US military revealed two more soldiers died on Thursday one by a roadside bomb near Ramadi, 95km west of Baghdad. The other was killed when his vehicle hit a bomb at Baqouba, 50 miles north-east of the capital.
The attacks occurred about 7:20 a.m. At least eight rockets were fired at the Oil Ministry, but only two of them detonated, said Col. Peter Mansoor of the 1st Armored Division.
The oil ministry was closed yesterday for the Muslim day of prayer and no injuries were reported there. A ministry official said a fire was quickly extinguished and caused no major damage to the building. He said oil production would not be affected.
Mansoor said one rocket hit the Palestine Hotel, but at least five rocket holes could be seen on other floors.
Another rocket hit the Sheraton. The hotels are among the best-protected in Baghdad, with several security checkpoints on the approaches, blast barriers on surrounding streets and US armoured personnel carriers stationed outside.
They stand in front of Firdaus Square where Iraqis famously toppled a statue of Saddam Hussein on April 9.
The Palestine was shelled by a US tank on April 8, killing two cameramen, one from Spain and one from Ukraine. The army justified the shooting.
Elsewhere, a US soldier from the 82nd Airborne Division was killed and two were injured near Ramadi, west of Baghdad, when a roadside bomb exploded next to their convoy.
Another soldier was killed on Thursday in northern Iraq.
To the south, in the city of Karbala, at least four mortar shells were fired into a Thai military camp on Thursday. There were no casualties.
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