Coalition forces have bombarded the main presidential palace complex in Baghdad this morning for the second consecutive day.
The sprawling palace grounds, a potent symbol of PresidentSaddam Hussein's grip on power, has been a frequent target of the bombardments and was struck twice yesterday.
Explosions blasted through the night in a sustained US and British air assault on Baghdad and against Republican Guard positions on its outskirts.
The coalition raids followed attacks yesterday that hit the Information Ministry and at least two telephone exchanges.
US Central Command said in a statement that coalition forces had used "precision-guided munitions to target a regime office complex in eastern Baghdad" yesterday.
The complex served as an office for leaders of the regime and housed the youth ministry and the Iraqi National Olympic Committee, chaired by Saddam's elder son, Uday, US Central Command said.
Eighteen people were killed and more than 100 wounded in British and US air strikes on Baghdad since yesterday, Information Minister Mohammad Said al-Sahhaf said today. Of them, five were killed and 25 wounded in this morning's raids.
The minister said more than 30 other Iraqis were killed and more than 130 in various other parts of Iraq, including the provinces of Qadisiyah, Babylon and Salaheddin.
Iraq has said almost 600 Iraqi civilians have been killed and over 4,500 wounded. It has not listed military casualties.
Yesterday, President Bush, speaking in Philadelphia, told Iraqis: "We are coming with a mighty force to end the rule of your oppressors. . . . We will not stop, we will not relent until your country is free".
Iraq also reported fierce fighting in and around the city of Nassiriya and said the elite Republican Guard was involved along with regular army troops and Baath party militia.
A military spokesman on Iraqi television said Iraqi forces had inflicted heavy casualties. "The blood of the enemy is flowing profusely," said the unidentified spokesman. "God bless your hands. Victory will be yours. God is by your side".