BAGHDAD (REUTERS, AFP) - The area around Baghdad's international airport was shelled on Monday, with two dozen projectiles exploding within its secured perimeter, witnesses and security officials said.

A witness who lives near the airport heard about 20 explosions that a security source said was a bombardment targeting the airport.

It was not clear if any of the airport's facilities were hit and whether rockets or mortar fire were used in the shelling.

Meanwhile, Iraq has executed five convicts on Monday, linking the timing of the executions to the Baghdad suicide bombing the previous day that killed more than 200 people, the justice ministry said.

"We would like to announce the implementation of death sentences against five convicts this morning," the ministry said in a statement, without specifying their crimes.