| The United States attacked key targets in Baghdad with cruise missiles on Thursday, setting government buildings on fire in a ferocious assault to destroy the rule of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. Eyewitnesses in the Iraqi capital reported several explosions near government buildings as cruise missiles swooped down, shaking the city with massive explosions. There was relatively little Iraqi anti-aircraft fire. Reuters reporter Nadim Ladki said missiles flew in at a very low altitude and hit several targets. He could see buildings ablaze in the southeast of the city and around the planning ministry in the center of the Baghdad. Fire fighters and ambulances were driving to the scene but U.S. television networks showed the flames roaring out of control and smoke rising high into the night sky. |