Blasts hit in Baghdad's 'Green Zone'

Bomb explodes at Karbala hotel; 1 U.S. soldier killed in Tikrit

Monday, November 3, 2003 Posted: 4:26 PM EST (2126 GMT)

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Three rockets or mortar shells exploded Monday night in the highly secure area of the Iraqi capital that houses the U.S.-led coalition's headquarters, a coalition spokesman said.

The explosions came a day after a U.S. Army helicopter crashed in a suspected missile strike, killing 16 soldiers and wounding 20 others.

Three rockets or mortar shells slammed inside the "Green Zone," an area of Baghdad where U.S. occupation authorities work and live. One of the shells hit a camp of the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, while two others struck areas near central Baghdad, according to a Coalition Provisional Authority statement.

No damage or injuries were reported from the blasts, which occurred about 9 p.m. (1 p.m. EST). The spokesman said an explosives disposal team was trying to determine whether rockets or mortar fire caused the explosions.

The area has been the target of previous mortar attacks. The Al-Rashid Hotel, which houses coalition military and civilian officials, was targeted in an October 26 rocket strike that killed a U.S. Army officer.

In addition, a bomb exploded Monday night in front of a hotel in the Shiite Muslim holy city of Karbala, causing an undetermined number of deaths and injuries, a U.S. military spokesman said.

The blast occurred at 7:50 p.m. (11:50 a.m. EST) outside a hotel, the spokesman said. The hotel was empty, but some bystanders were killed, he said.

Iraqi police are investigating the bombing, while coalition troops secure the area, the spokesman said. No coalition soldiers were in the area at the time, he said.

Bulgarian troops patrol the city, part of a Polish-led multinational division that took over security in southern Iraq in August.

Karbala is about 55 miles (90 kilometers) south of Baghdad. It is home to the shrine of the Imam Hussein, a grandson of the prophet Muhammad.

In violence north of Baghdad, a 4th Infantry Division soldier was killed Monday afternoon when his vehicle hit a mine in Tikrit, Saddam's ancestral homeland, a U.S. military spokesman said.

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