Powerful blasts reverberated across Baghdad around 5.20 am (0220 GMT), triggering retaliatory fire from Iraqi anti-aircraft guns, an AFP correspondent said.

Just after midnight local time, at least one missile slammed into the presidential compound in central Baghdad,

A pall of smoke was seen rising from the sprawling palace on the banks of the Tigris river after the strike, following at least eight loud explosions around Baghdad and the roaring of warplanes and anti-aircraft fire.

More blasts were reported at around 2.40 am.

Baghdad came under repeated attack Sunday from the US and British coalition, which largely targetted positions on the capital's outskirts where it believes elite forces are concentrated.

WAR.WIRE