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Triple Baghdad blasts kill dozens | Triple Baghdad blasts kill dozens |
(30 minutes later) | |
At least 28 people have been killed by three bombs that exploded just moments apart in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. | At least 28 people have been killed by three bombs that exploded just moments apart in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. |
The first two blasts were car bombs and then a suicide bomber detonated his charges in the crowd that had gathered to help, police say. | |
Another 68 people were injured in the blasts, which took place during morning rush hour in the Shia area of Kasra. | Another 68 people were injured in the blasts, which took place during morning rush hour in the Shia area of Kasra. |
North of Baghdad, in Baquba, a female suicide car bomber attacked a US-allied militia checkpoint, killing six people. | North of Baghdad, in Baquba, a female suicide car bomber attacked a US-allied militia checkpoint, killing six people. |
The triple-bomb attack in Baghdad is one of the deadliest in Iraq in several months. | The triple-bomb attack in Baghdad is one of the deadliest in Iraq in several months. |
It is unclear how many people were killed and wounded in each of the explosions, police say. | It is unclear how many people were killed and wounded in each of the explosions, police say. |
Favoured tactic | Favoured tactic |
Although attacks have decreased in number overall in Iraq in the last year, there has been a string of bombings in Baghdad and elsewhere in recent weeks. | Although attacks have decreased in number overall in Iraq in the last year, there has been a string of bombings in Baghdad and elsewhere in recent weeks. |
Most of these have targeted police or security forces, government officials or commuters going to work in the morning. | Most of these have targeted police or security forces, government officials or commuters going to work in the morning. |
The simultaneous bombs tactic has been much used by Iraqi insurgents since the US-led invasion in 2003, says the BBC's Andrew North in Baghdad. | The simultaneous bombs tactic has been much used by Iraqi insurgents since the US-led invasion in 2003, says the BBC's Andrew North in Baghdad. |
There are suspicions that the blasts were an al-Qaeda attempt to re-ignite sectarian conflict in Baghdad, says our correspondent. Kasra adjoins the mainly-Sunni district of Adhamiya. | There are suspicions that the blasts were an al-Qaeda attempt to re-ignite sectarian conflict in Baghdad, says our correspondent. Kasra adjoins the mainly-Sunni district of Adhamiya. |
A minibus full of schoolgirls was caught in the attack. Television pictures showed blood on the seats and girls shoes scattered in the wreckage. | |
Shop fronts were torn apart and debris was strewn across the street. | |
"We are fed up with such attacks and we want only to live in peace," said local grocery store owner Ahmed Riyadh. | |
Baghdad was torn by sectarian strife through 2006-7, but it has since largely subsided as many local militias have joined Awakening Councils set up by the US forces. Smaller attacks still take place on a daily basis, however. | |
The suicide car bomber in Baquba, in Diyala province, struck a checkpoint staffed by a local Awakening Council militia. | The suicide car bomber in Baquba, in Diyala province, struck a checkpoint staffed by a local Awakening Council militia. |
Six militia members were killed and 14 civilians were wounded, police said. | Six militia members were killed and 14 civilians were wounded, police said. |
The US military began transferring control of the Awakening Council militias to the Iraqis on 1 October and on Monday the government started paying the salaries of the Baghdad councils. | The US military began transferring control of the Awakening Council militias to the Iraqis on 1 October and on Monday the government started paying the salaries of the Baghdad councils. |
The Awakening Council militias, along with the increase in US troop numbers, are credited with the dramatic improvements in security in Iraq since the fierce sectarian violence of 2006-7. | The Awakening Council militias, along with the increase in US troop numbers, are credited with the dramatic improvements in security in Iraq since the fierce sectarian violence of 2006-7. |