A loud blast has echoed across central Baghdad today near the fortified compound housing the Iraqi government and the US embassy, witnesses said.
Smoke could be seen rising from the Green Zone area on the west bank of the Tigris River, and three US helicopters hovered overhead.
Insurgents have regularly attacked the Green Zone with mortars and rockets since US forces invaded last year to oust Saddam Hussein. Several car bombs have also exploded at entrances to the compound.