This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7617606.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Suicide bombing kills 22 in Iraq | Suicide bombing kills 22 in Iraq |
(about 17 hours later) | |
At least 22 people have been killed and 32 hurt by a female suicide bomber who blew herself up at a police gathering in Iraq's Diyala province, police say. | |
The guests were attending an Iftar banquet, when Muslims break their fast during the month of Ramadan, in Balad Ruz, 70km (45 miles) north of Baghdad. | The guests were attending an Iftar banquet, when Muslims break their fast during the month of Ramadan, in Balad Ruz, 70km (45 miles) north of Baghdad. |
Officials told the BBC the party was being held by a policeman to celebrate his recent release from US detention. | Officials told the BBC the party was being held by a policeman to celebrate his recent release from US detention. |
Earlier, two car bombs exploded in central Baghdad, killing 12 people. | Earlier, two car bombs exploded in central Baghdad, killing 12 people. |
The blasts were in the busy Karrada district, near a courthouse and passport office. | The blasts were in the busy Karrada district, near a courthouse and passport office. |
Security forces targeted | Security forces targeted |
Local sources said a police officer was holding a large party to celebrate his release on Monday from a US-run detention centre, Camp Bucca, when the suicide bomber walked into his home. | Local sources said a police officer was holding a large party to celebrate his release on Monday from a US-run detention centre, Camp Bucca, when the suicide bomber walked into his home. |
Some of the wounded were taken to a joint US-Iraqi base nearby for treatment. | Some of the wounded were taken to a joint US-Iraqi base nearby for treatment. |
Suicide bombers have frequently targeted the Iraqi police force. | Suicide bombers have frequently targeted the Iraqi police force. |
The BBC's Mike Sergeant in Baghdad says there have been fewer attacks across the country in recent months, but in Diyala province the level of violence is still relatively high. | The BBC's Mike Sergeant in Baghdad says there have been fewer attacks across the country in recent months, but in Diyala province the level of violence is still relatively high. |
There has also been an increase in attacks carried out by female suicide bombers, our correspondent says. | There has also been an increase in attacks carried out by female suicide bombers, our correspondent says. |
Earlier, US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said the challenge in Iraq was how to preserve and extend security gains at a time when the number of US troops there was falling. | Earlier, US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said the challenge in Iraq was how to preserve and extend security gains at a time when the number of US troops there was falling. |
Visiting Iraq for the eighth time in the past two years, Mr Gates said the US military's presence in Iraq was now a mission in transition, with more responsibility being passed to Iraqi forces. | Visiting Iraq for the eighth time in the past two years, Mr Gates said the US military's presence in Iraq was now a mission in transition, with more responsibility being passed to Iraqi forces. |