At least 10 Iraqi soldiers have been killed in a suicide bomb attack on an Iraqi army base in the northern city of Mosul, officials say.
At least 10 Iraqi soldiers have been killed in a suicide bomb attack on an Iraqi army base in the northern city of Mosul, officials say.
About 30 were injured in the huge blast caused by the explosives-laden lorry.
About 30 were injured in the huge blast caused by the explosives-laden lorry.
Iraqi and US soldiers have been engaged in a major offensive in Mosul, which they call al-Qaeda's last urban stronghold in Iraq.
Iraqi and US soldiers have been engaged in a major offensive in Mosul, which they call al-Qaeda's last urban stronghold in Iraq.
Also on Sunday the heavily fortified Green Zone in the centre of Baghdad came under a sustained barrage of fire.
Also on Sunday the heavily fortified Green Zone in the centre of Baghdad came under a sustained barrage of fire.
A series of 10 or 12 rockets or mortars were fired into the zone - home of the Iraqi government HQ, the US and UK embassies, and thousands of American troops - at about 0600 (0300 GMT).
A series of 10 or 12 rockets or mortars were fired into the zone - home of the Iraqi government HQ, the US and UK embassies, and thousands of American troops - at about 0600 (0300 GMT).
It left a shroud of stinking black smoke over the city, reports the BBC's Adam Brookes there.
It left a shroud of stinking black smoke over the city, reports the BBC's Adam Brookes there.
However no casualties were reported in the attack.
However no casualties were reported in the attack.
Flashpoint
Flashpoint
Mosul has been the scene of intense insurgent activity in recent months, our correspondent says.
Mosul has been the scene of intense insurgent activity in recent months, our correspondent says.
Most attacks there are blamed by US commanders on al-Qaeda operatives, and in January the Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri Maliki, announced the start of a major counter-insurgent offensive in the city.
Most attacks there are blamed by US commanders on al-Qaeda operatives, and in January the Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri Maliki, announced the start of a major counter-insurgent offensive in the city.
In Sunday's attack, "the bomber smashed the truck through barriers at the entrance to the base and triggered the explosion at about 0700", Iraqi officer Major Mohammed Ahmed told the news agency AFP.
In Sunday's attack, "the bomber smashed the truck through barriers at the entrance to the base and triggered the explosion at about 0700", Iraqi officer Major Mohammed Ahmed told the news agency AFP.
According to AFP, witnesses said Iraqi forces had sealed off the area around the base, in the Hermat neighbourhood of west Mosul.
According to AFP, witnesses said Iraqi forces had sealed off the area around the base, in the Hermat neighbourhood of west Mosul.
Military planes and helicopters were seen hovering above the base.
Military planes and helicopters were seen hovering above the base.
'Rogue elements'
'Rogue elements'
As Sunday's attack hit the Green Zone, the US public address system warned people "to duck and cover" and to stay away from windows.
As Sunday's attack hit the Green Zone, the US public address system warned people "to duck and cover" and to stay away from windows.
Sunday's attacks on the Green Zone left a pall over the city
Sunday's attacks on the Green Zone left a pall over the city
Previous rocket attacks on the Green Zone have been blamed on rogue elements of Moqtada Sadr's Mehdi Army militia.
Previous rocket attacks on the Green Zone have been blamed on rogue elements of Moqtada Sadr's Mehdi Army militia.
Moqtadr Sadr renewed a ceasefire for his militia last month.
Moqtadr Sadr renewed a ceasefire for his militia last month.
Security in Iraq has improved overall since last June, when the US deployed an extra 30,000 troops in violence-hit areas.
Security in Iraq has improved overall since last June, when the US deployed an extra 30,000 troops in violence-hit areas.
But our correspondent says the number of high-profile attacks has been creeping back upwards in recent months.
But our correspondent says the number of high-profile attacks has been creeping back upwards in recent months.
Are you in Mosul? Did you witness the attack? Send your comments using the post form below:
