Baghdad official says 14 dead in cruise missile attack

Fourteen people were killed today when two cruise missiles hit a residential neighbourhood in northern Baghdad, Iraqi defence officials said.

It was the worst reported instance of civilian casualties since the US bombing campaign began a week ago.

Television pictures of the aftermath were expected to stir outrage across the Arab world.

The attack occurred around midday in the heavily populated Al-Shaab area, which contains dozens of shops and homes.

Lt Col Hamad Abdullah, head of civil defence for the area, said 14 people were killed and 30 injured. About 17 cars were destroyed, he added.

Streets in the area were flooded with water after pipes ruptured. Street lights fell, trees were uprooted and some cars were overturned by the power of the blast.

“This is barbarian,” shouted bystander Adnan Saleh Barseem, “It is proof that their aggression is collapsing.”

Crowds and residents of some of the damaged apartments began to chant: “Oh, Saddam, we sacrifice our souls and blood to you.”

Associated Press Television News video showed a large crater in the street, a smouldering building, demolished cars, and bodies wrapped in plastic sheeting in the back of a pickup truck. Dozens of people standing amid the debris shook their fists and shouted angrily.

US Central Command said it was checking the report. A spokesman noted that coalition forces take “extraordinary” measures to protect civilians.

Meanwhile, a series of explosions could be heard this afternoon across the Iraqi capital, becoming louder and more frequent.

Rain began to fall in Baghdad, combining with smoke and sand in the air to give the city a dark, apocalyptic look and coating everything in grey mud. Cars drove with their headlights on and street lights were switched on.

Meanwhile, a howling sandstorm that had cast a yellow haze over Baghdad eased early today as US-led troops lay within 50 miles of the capital, setting up a seemingly inevitable fight for control of the city of five million people.

The sandstorm had slowed the allies’ advance to a crawl.

“We are determined to defend our capital after what we have seen of our brothers’ resistance in the south,” Baghdad truck driver Ahmed Falah said.

“The whole world is with us now, even the weather, because the sandstorm has brought benefits to us. They are the storms of God.”

The city has also been shrouded with smoke from oil fires set by Baghdad authorities to obscure military targets.

Some resident have been busy digging or expanding defensive trenches, some of them the courtyard of the Iraq museum, home to priceless archaeological treasures.

Television, like state radio, constantly played patriotic songs and messages of support from Iraqis for Saddam.