The unmistakable whistling sound of incoming cruise missiles broke the uneasy veneer of calm that pervaded the Iraqi capital late last night. Residents scurried for cover as at least three missiles hit targets in the relatively densely populated centre of Baghdad. Others could be heard exploding in the far distance.
The city centre is not only a business and government centre but a major residential area.
One missile arched and hit a site behind a huge residential complex populated by civil servants and those close to the Ba'ath Party hierarchy. The target site is believed to be the centre of Iraq's military-industrial planning corporation - although government sources refused to confirm or deny where the missile detonated.
Anti-aircraft fire peppered the night sky for a second night running. Every 11th round is tracer, lighting up as it rises in the air and enabling the gunner to direct his line of fire at a target. But these cruise missiles travel faster than the speed of sound, making the efforts of the anti-aircraft gunners close to futile.
Up to the attack, Baghdad appeared to be intent on pretending that nothing was amiss. Cars choked the centre, although the volume was lower than normal. When the cruise missiles hit people started to run for cover. Amazingly, some soldiers walked into the centre of the road to inspect the damage, even as the antiaircraft fire exploded high in the sky, raining down lethal shrapnel over a wide area.
The pattern of these attacks seems to have been established. Firstly, the sirens ring out, alerting the population to an imminent attack. This is followed by salvo after deafening salvo of outgoing anti-aircraft fire. Soon afterwards, the missiles rain in.
It is impossible to verify the accuracy of the American and British operation. The Iraqi government allows journalists only to visit sites which show off the damage to their best advantage.
Targets in the early part of this war include dozens of buildings in the home region of President Saddam Hussein and a number of presidential palaces throughout the country.
British Tornado fighters flying out of Kuwait were followed later in the day by massive B-52 bombers capable of delivering more than 20 cruise missiles each. It is clear that while the bombers are seeking out strategic targets in the Iraqi capital, many of the objects of destruction are in other parts of the country.
There has still been no hostility on the part of our Iraqi hosts to the presence of dozens of journalists from foreign countries, including many from the US and Britain. Nor has the United Nations compound in the suburbs been touched. Some 300 humanitarian workers are lying low, their bags packed in preparation for imminent departure.
The Iraqi authorities are clearly prepared for this bombing campaign and so far nothing remarkable has happened to change their view that they can ride out the current crisis. The country is split into four sectors, each controlled by a stalwart of the ruling Ba'ath Party and close associate of Saddam Hussein.
The regime is bunkering down for a difficult few days ahead - perhaps hoping it can ride out the current storm as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan approaches. Its hope is that the US and Britain will end the military campaign then, in deference to Muslim sensitivities.