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Scores die in Iraq market attack | Scores die in Iraq market attack |
(10 minutes later) | |
Seventy people have been killed in a double car bombing in Baghdad, Iraqi police have told the BBC. | |
One hundred and ten others were injured in the two blasts at a second-hand market in the centre of the city. | One hundred and ten others were injured in the two blasts at a second-hand market in the centre of the city. |
It is the second major attack in less than a week. Six days ago, 70 died in a bombing outside a Baghdad university. | It is the second major attack in less than a week. Six days ago, 70 died in a bombing outside a Baghdad university. |
Monday's attacks came as US troops began to arrive in Baghdad as part of a new plan to bring security to the country, wracked by sectarian violence. | |
The 3,200 troops sent to Baghdad are the advance guard of a 21,500-strong deployment ordered by President George Bush earlier this month. | The 3,200 troops sent to Baghdad are the advance guard of a 21,500-strong deployment ordered by President George Bush earlier this month. |
Challenge ahead | Challenge ahead |
The bombs exploded in the Haraj market, which sells second-hand clothing and DVDs, shortly after midday (0900 GMT). Columns of thick smoke could be seen hanging over area. | |
Smoke billowed over the scene of the bombing | |
The BBC's Mike Wooldridge in Baghdad says the market is popular with the many Baghdad residents on low incomes and that the area is also a busy transport interchange. | |
It was choked with traffic at the time, he adds. | |
The attacks are seen as highlighting the challenges faced by US forces as they prepare to rein in the Sunni and Shia insurgents who have been carrying out deadly tit-for-tat attacks. | |
Previous attempts to stop the killings in the capital have failed, in part, analysts say, because coalition and Iraqi troops have not stayed in an area once insurgents have been cleared. | Previous attempts to stop the killings in the capital have failed, in part, analysts say, because coalition and Iraqi troops have not stayed in an area once insurgents have been cleared. |
Under the new plans, once an area is taken, the extra US troops will stay behind, backing up Iraqi forces to hold the area. | Under the new plans, once an area is taken, the extra US troops will stay behind, backing up Iraqi forces to hold the area. |
US troops have themselves suffered significant losses in recent days. On Saturday, 25 soldiers were killed - one of the worst days for the American army since the invasion. |