Saddam's compound hit in attacks

Part of Saddam’s “Old Palace” compound, the official seat of government, was hit in tonight's bombing attacks.

The palace proper appeared undamaged but a building next to it was on fire and black smoke billowed from a 10-storey building in another part of the compound.

The northern Iraqi city of Mosul was also under attack, with sirens blaring in the city, Al-Jazeera reported.

B-52 bombers also were flying over the city of Kirkuk, a high-level official of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, a governing party in the autonomous Kurdish enclave said.

Despite the assault, Iraqi radio and television kept broadcasting and electric power remained on – even in buildings close to explosions.

The bombardment began shortly before 9pm (6pm Irish time) – heralded by the sounds of air raid sirens.