Double Bombing in Baghdad Is Said to Kill 10
Four car bombs struck two outdoor markets
in Baghdad and a town south of the Iraqi capital on Friday, killing at
least 20 people and wounding dozens, officials said.
The
blasts were the latest in a series of attacks by insurgents seeking to
re-ignite sectarian violence and undermine the Shiite-led government's
efforts in maintaining security.
The
bombings targeted an outdoor pet market in Baghdad's northern Kazimyah
neighborhood and in a vegetable market in the town of Shomali in Hillah
province, south of the Iraqi capital.
Every
Friday, Iraqis converge on markets to shop and spend family time during
the Muslim weekend. Markets are a frequent target for militants who
seek to inflict large numbers of casualties.
In
Baghdad, the first car bomb exploded around mid-morning at the entrance
to the Kazimyah market, two police officers said. When panicked
shoppers tried to flee the area, a second parked car exploded a few
meters (yards) away, according to the officers.
At least 14 people were killed and 42 were wounded in the two blasts, police said. All the victims were civilians.
About
an hour later, two car bombs exploded simultaneously at the Shomali
market, killing at least six people and wounding 15, two police officers
said.
Health officials confirmed
the casualty figures in each attack. All officials spoke on condition of
anonymity as they were not authorized to release information.
Despite
a drop in violence since the worst sectarian fighting in 2006-2007,
insurgents carry out near-daily attacks on security forces and civilians
in an attempt to undermine the Shiite-led government.
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