Three explosions rock Baghdad

Three loud explosions boomed through central Baghdad tonight, and sirens wailed in the compound housing the headquarters of the US-led coalition.

Some smoke rose inside the compound, known as the “Green Zone,” but it was unclear whether it was related to the thunderous booms.

“We are aware that some explosions did take place. We do not know the location,” a spokeswoman for the coalition said.

A spokesman said he heard three explosions. “They were loud,” he said. “But I’ve heard louder.”

Insurgents last month fired mortars into the “Green Zone,” a two square-mile area which encompasses several buildings. But if tonight’s explosions occurred inside, it would be the first time in several weeks that the seat of coalition power was hit.

The zone includes the Al Rasheed Hotel, which was used by military and coalition civilian employees until a rocket attack on October 26 which killed a US colonel and wounded 18 other people.

US Deputy Defence Secretary Paul Wolfowitz was in the hotel at the time, but escaped injury.