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Troops in as bombs strike Baghdad Troops in as bombs strike Baghdad
(10 minutes later)
More than 3,000 US troops have arrived in Baghdad, the first deployment of extra forces promised for the Iraqi capital by US President George W Bush.More than 3,000 US troops have arrived in Baghdad, the first deployment of extra forces promised for the Iraqi capital by US President George W Bush.
The US military confirmed the troops' arrival, as seven people were killed in Baghdad by two bombings.The US military confirmed the troops' arrival, as seven people were killed in Baghdad by two bombings.
A bomb on a minibus killed six people in Karrada, a mostly Shia district. The second bomb hit central Baghdad.A bomb on a minibus killed six people in Karrada, a mostly Shia district. The second bomb hit central Baghdad.
Those bombs came a day after one of the US' deadliest days in recent months, with 17 soldiers killed on Saturday. Elsewhere, a British soldier was killed by a roadside bomb near the southern city of Basra.
Elsewhere, a British soldier in southern Iraq was killed by a roadside bomb near Basra, commanders in the region said. Saturday was one of the deadliest days for US troops in recent months, with 17 soldiers killed.
The soldier was travelling on a Warrior armoured vehicle when he was killed early on Sunday.
Grim toll
The Associated Press said the bombed minibus in Baghdad was ferrying passengers to Karrada when the explosion occurred at 0815 (0515 GMT), shattering the windows of nearby shops.The Associated Press said the bombed minibus in Baghdad was ferrying passengers to Karrada when the explosion occurred at 0815 (0515 GMT), shattering the windows of nearby shops.
We pulled out three charred bodies, and badly injured people were taken to the hospital by a pickup car Karrada eyewitness The bomb may have been left in a bag by a passenger getting off the bus, police said, although there were reports that it was a suicide bombing.We pulled out three charred bodies, and badly injured people were taken to the hospital by a pickup car Karrada eyewitness The bomb may have been left in a bag by a passenger getting off the bus, police said, although there were reports that it was a suicide bombing.
Faris Mahdi, who works in a nearby shop, told AP: "We had just arrived to open our shop when we heard the sound of a big explosion and saw a fire in a small bus.Faris Mahdi, who works in a nearby shop, told AP: "We had just arrived to open our shop when we heard the sound of a big explosion and saw a fire in a small bus.
"We pulled out three charred bodies, and badly injured people were taken to the hospital by a pickup car.""We pulled out three charred bodies, and badly injured people were taken to the hospital by a pickup car."
New pushNew push
The 3,200 extra troops sent to Baghdad are the advance guard of a 21,500-strong deployment ordered by President Bush earlier this month.The 3,200 extra troops sent to Baghdad are the advance guard of a 21,500-strong deployment ordered by President Bush earlier this month.
Baghdad remains plagued by bombings, killings and sectarian violence.Baghdad remains plagued by bombings, killings and sectarian violence.
The US deployment is aimed at augmenting the efforts of Iraqi security forces to combat violence in the city.The US deployment is aimed at augmenting the efforts of Iraqi security forces to combat violence in the city.
Mr Bush has admitted that the battle for Baghdad will prove crucial to the outcome of the conflict in Iraq, but his plans are opposed by political rivals in the US.Mr Bush has admitted that the battle for Baghdad will prove crucial to the outcome of the conflict in Iraq, but his plans are opposed by political rivals in the US.
Sunday's violence came one day after the US suffered some of its heaviest military losses in recent months. In Saturday's violence, a US military helicopter came down outside Baghdad, killing all 12 people on board.
A military helicopter came down outside Baghdad, killing all 12 people on board. In a separate incident, the US said five of its soldiers were killed in a clash with militants in the Shia holy city of Karbala as pilgrims began gathering for a holy ceremony.
In a separate incident, the US military said five of its soldiers were killed in a clash with militants in the Shia holy city of Karbala as pilgrims began gathering for a holy ceremony.
The 10-day Ashura commemoration, one of the holiest occasions in the Shia calendar, begins on Sunday.The 10-day Ashura commemoration, one of the holiest occasions in the Shia calendar, begins on Sunday.