Blast hits gate to 'green zone' in Baghdad: police

Mon Nov 14, 2005 2:00 AM ET

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A roadside bomb exploded near an checkpoint leading into the heavily fortified "Green Zone" in central Baghdad on Monday and there were an unknown number of casualties, police said.

The blast, which was near a fortified compound housing the Iranian embassy in the Iraqi capital, was heard several kilometres away.

Police said the blast targeted several sports utility vehicles, which are commonly used by the military, police and security forces to transport local and foreign officials and contractors.

The Green Zone stretches over several square miles on the banks of the Tigris river in central Baghdad.

Checkpoints at the gates to the zone have been targeted by car bombs on several occasions. They consist of several layers of blast walls, sand bagged reinforcements and razor wire outside the gates leading into the zone.

Most U.S. government offices are based inside the Green Zone, where most Iraqi government business is also conducted and where the United Nations also has a large compound.

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