A US military spokeswoman said today a series of loud blasts that shook central Baghdad were controlled explosions carried out by the US Army.
The US military usually conducts controlled explosions at midday Baghdad time.
In recent days, the US 1st Armored Division, which is responsible for Baghdad, has shelled and mortared southwestern portions of the city as part of operation Iron Grip, a tough new approach to rooting out suspected guerrillas.
US military commanders said last week that insurgent attacks on coalition forces had fallen to an average of around 20 a day, from as many as 50 a day in November but had grown
more sophisticated at the same time.
On New Year's Eve, militants detonated a car bomb outside a popular Baghdad restaurant, killing eight people and wounding 30, including three Western journalists.
