Large explosion rocks Iraqi capital near Green Zone area
(AP)
Updated: 2006-01-23 15:23

A large explosion rocked downtown Baghdad near a checkpoint into the heavily fortified Green Zone on Monday, sending a thick black plume of smoke rising into the sky.

There were no immediate reports on casualties.

The explosion happened at 10:10 a.m. near checkpoint one, also known as the "Assassins Gate," which is a main entrance to the heavily fortified Green Zone housing the Iraqi government and U.S. Embassy, said U.S. military spokeswoman Sgt. Stacy Simon.

Bursts of automatic weapon fire were heard immediately after.

The site of the blast has been targeted numerous times in the past by insurgents opposed to the U.S.-led occupation and the American-backed Iraqi government.