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Baghdad: Three missiles or rocket-propelled grenades hit the al-Rashid Hotel, home to US military officers and civilian support staff, in Central Baghdad on September 27 just hours after US soldiers killed at least two Iraqis at a checkpoint in Fallujah West of the capital.

James Smith, a spokesman for the US forces, said the projectiles struck the Al-Rashid Hotel about 06:30 hours. There were no casualties.

The al-Rashid, once one of Baghdad's best hotels, was taken over by the military after Saddam Hussein was toppled by US-led forces in April. It sits inside a heavily guarded compound that also houses the Baghdad Convention Centre, where the military has its Press office. The US-appointed Governing Council also has its headquarters in the complex.

Residents of the Salhiya neighbourhood just West of the complex said a rocket launcher was fired from the middle of a street and left behind as the attackers fled.

The attack came as residents in Fallujah, a hotspot of anti-US resistance West of Baghdad, reported that American troops fired on two vehicles at a checkpoint on September 26 night, killing four Iraqis and wounding at least three others, including a child.

The American military in Baghdad said soldiers of the 82nd Airborne Division fired on an Iraqi vehicle as it ran a checkpoint in Fallujah. Spec Nicole Thompson said two people were killed and four were wounded.

Iraqi policeman Sinan Najam Fahd said US troops fired at a car and a pickup truck but gave no reason why. Police and ambulances rushed the victims to Fallujah General Hospital.

Agencies