Missiles and bombs rained on Baghdad and two other Iraqi cities as the United States unleashed what it called its 'shock and awe' strategy this morning.
A Reuters report said the aerial assault triggered giant fireballs and deafening explosions above the capital city. US warplanes also assailed targets in the northern cities of Mosul and Kirkuk.
US officials hoped that the 'A-Day' - a reference to the massive air campaign - would convince the Iraqi leadership to surrender.