It was not immediately clear what targets had been hit in the latest bombing around 1915 GMT, but Iraqi satellite television broadcasting outside the country was interrupted.

Intense air attacks had struck the Iraqi capital and its southern rim just after 1000 GMT as anti-aircraft defenses boomed out, on the 10th day of the US-led war on the country, and resumed at about 1635 GMT.

Another four explosions jolted the city of five million people at 1800 GMT.

Correspondents in the city said no air raid sirens had signalled the latest blasts and no anti-aircraft artillery was heard.

WAR.WIRE