The explosions began around 2:30 a.m. and came in rapid succession, seconds apart, making buildings shudder.

There were no sounds of airplanes or anti-aircraft fire.

Officials could not be reached at the airport.

A U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, says that the United States isn't attacking Afghanistan as of 6 p.m. Tuesday night. He said the fighting in Kabul appears to be rocket attacks by Afghan rebels opposing the ruling Taliban in response to the attack on a rebel general over the weekend.

The explosions were in the direction of the front line where Afghan's Taliban soldier are lined up against opposition forces. Fighting in that area has increased in recent but this would be first major assault by opposition forces so close to the capital.

It was impossible to travel in the streets because of a nighttime curfew, from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m.