New mortar attack kills 2 in Green Zone; Embassy provides cots 'who wish to sleep in their offices for security reasons'

Above: A 'duck and cover' bunker in the Green Zone. Reports this weekend said that insurgents were going to be using a new and deadlier kind of mortar rocket, called the al-Sharooq, modelled on one of those used by Hizbollah.

Mortar shells kill two in Baghdad Green Zone-police

Two Iraqi soldiers were killed in a mortar attack on Friday in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone compound, Iraqi police said.

Police said four mortar rounds struck the Green Zone, home to the U.S., British and other foreign embassies as well as the Iraqi government and parliament. There were no immediate reports of other casualties.

Attacks have been rising against the compound, a large area in central Baghdad on the west bank of the Tigris river. Three people were killed in a heavy mortar and rocket barrage earlier this week that also wounded 18 others.

Read the rest at Reuters/Alternet

Personnel May Wish to Sleep in Another Country

More signs of progress in Iraq. In response to the recent increase in mortar and rocket attacks in Baghdad's Green Zone, U.S. Embassy officials announced yesterday that "a limited number of cots are available for use by authorized . . . personnel who wish to sleep in their offices for security reasons."

Why? Offices tend to be in concrete buildings, affording better protection against mortars and other projectiles than the metal-roofed trailers commonly used for housing...

A "Duck and Cover Alert" from the embassy security office yesterday offered important tips on what to do if you're in an "unfortified structure (e.g. trailer, self-serve laundry facility, etc.) or outdoors."

"If there is a nearby Duck and Cover bunker" -- echoes of an earlier era? -- "quickly seek cover within and remain there until the All Clear signal is given." But "if no fortified structure is near-by, get as low as possible and protect your vital areas." (Of course, these may vary from person to person.) "Remain in place until the initial salvo has ended," the notice says, then hightail it to "the nearest Duck and Cover bunker."

Read the rest at the Washington Post

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