Iraq: U.S. Headquarters In Baghdad Comes Under Attack

Baghdad, 25 November 2003 (RFE/RL) -- The Baghdad headquarters of the U.S.-led administration in Iraq came again under attack today after dark. Reports say at least two rockets landed near the compound and a large crater was blown in the middle of one road. There were no immediate reports of casualties. The compound has come under mortar and rocket fire several times this month, prompting intensified U.S. military operations against guerrilla targets in Baghdad.

Earlier today, General John Abizaid, head of U.S. Central Command, said tougher U.S. tactics have halved the number of attacks on his forces in Iraq in the past two weeks but assaults on Iraqis were on the rise.

"These offensive actions in the past two weeks have actually driven down the attacks against coalition forces, but unfortunately we've found that attacks against Iraqis have increased," he said.

U.S. administrator Paul Bremer also acknowledged that insurgents have shifted from attacking U.S. and coalition forces to attacking Iraqis who are working with the U.S.-led occupation forces. Bremer predicted attacks will continue "for some time to come."