lennart
07-08-03, 11:28
Jordan's Iraq embassy attacked
At least seven people have been killed in a large explosion at the Jordanian embassy in Baghdad, reports say.
Initial reports suggest the bomb could have been inside a car or truck.
Some of those killed were reportedly embassy staff and guards. Others are thought to have been in cars parked close to the embassy.
After the explosion, Iraqis are reported to have stormed the building, smashing portraits of Jordan's King Abdullah II and his father King Hussein.
A Jordanian Government spokesman told AFP news agency the attack was a "cowardly terrorist" act.
'Very hard'
Our correspondent in Baghdad, Mike Donkin, says the front of the building has been reduced to rubble.
He said shrapnel travelled as far as 1,000 metres from the scene and human remains were visible in a compound close to the embassy.
A witness said he had seen "eight or nine bodies" after the explosion, which another man described as "very hard"
A US army spokesman unofficially confirmed "eight or 10" deaths had resulted from the blast, which he said could have been caused by an estimated 130-230 kilograms (300-500lb) of explosives.
Troops are currently at the scene, in the Mansur district, and are advising people to leave the area in case of a further explosion.
It is unclear how many people were injured in the explosion, with reports suggesting around 20 people were rushed to hospital.
Iraqi resentment
Many Iraqis are still angry about Jordan's support for the United States in the war on Iraq, which saw the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, says our correspondent.
There is also resentment about the treatment of Iraqi workers in Jordan over previous years of sanctions, when Jordan was Iraq's primary link to the outside world, he says.
Many Iraqis feel Jordan benefited from cheap - or free - oil under Iraq's oil-for-food programme
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3131129.stm
At least seven people have been killed in a large explosion at the Jordanian embassy in Baghdad, reports say.
Initial reports suggest the bomb could have been inside a car or truck.
Some of those killed were reportedly embassy staff and guards. Others are thought to have been in cars parked close to the embassy.
After the explosion, Iraqis are reported to have stormed the building, smashing portraits of Jordan's King Abdullah II and his father King Hussein.
A Jordanian Government spokesman told AFP news agency the attack was a "cowardly terrorist" act.
'Very hard'
Our correspondent in Baghdad, Mike Donkin, says the front of the building has been reduced to rubble.
He said shrapnel travelled as far as 1,000 metres from the scene and human remains were visible in a compound close to the embassy.
A witness said he had seen "eight or nine bodies" after the explosion, which another man described as "very hard"
A US army spokesman unofficially confirmed "eight or 10" deaths had resulted from the blast, which he said could have been caused by an estimated 130-230 kilograms (300-500lb) of explosives.
Troops are currently at the scene, in the Mansur district, and are advising people to leave the area in case of a further explosion.
It is unclear how many people were injured in the explosion, with reports suggesting around 20 people were rushed to hospital.
Iraqi resentment
Many Iraqis are still angry about Jordan's support for the United States in the war on Iraq, which saw the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, says our correspondent.
There is also resentment about the treatment of Iraqi workers in Jordan over previous years of sanctions, when Jordan was Iraq's primary link to the outside world, he says.
Many Iraqis feel Jordan benefited from cheap - or free - oil under Iraq's oil-for-food programme
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3131129.stm