Moments after the explosions began, White House spokesman Ari Fleischer told
reporters in Washington, "The opening stages of the disarmament of the Iraqi
regime have begun."
No airplanes were visible in the skies over Baghdad as the air raid sirens
blared. Yellow and white tracers from anti-aircraft fire were seen in the sky,
and a number of strong explosions went off in the city.
Cable News Network reported that the U.S. was using cruise missiles in the
attacks.
One explosion raised a ball of fire toward the southern part of the capital.