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| Scores die in Iraq market attack | Scores die in Iraq market attack |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Seventy-five people have been killed and 160 others injured in a double car bombing in Baghdad, Iraqi police say. | Seventy-five people have been killed and 160 others injured in a double car bombing in Baghdad, Iraqi police say. |
| The bombers struck a second-hand clothes market popular with the city's poorer residents in the deadliest attack so far this year. | The bombers struck a second-hand clothes market popular with the city's poorer residents in the deadliest attack so far this year. |
| It is also the second major bombing in less than a week. Six days ago, 70 died in an attack on a Baghdad university. | It is also the second major bombing in less than a week. Six days ago, 70 died in an attack on a Baghdad university. |
| The attacks came as US troops arrived on a mission to boost security in a country racked 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 |
| After Monday's explosions, bodies could be seen covered in blue sheeting outside a Baghdad mortuary, while doctors at al-Kindi Hospital worked frantically to save the lives of the badly injured. | After Monday's explosions, bodies could be seen covered in blue sheeting outside a Baghdad mortuary, while doctors at al-Kindi Hospital worked frantically to save the lives of the badly injured. |
| The bombs exploded in the Haraj market, which sells second-hand clothing and DVDs, shortly after midday (0900 GMT). Columns of thick smoke immediately covered the area. | The bombs exploded in the Haraj market, which sells second-hand clothing and DVDs, shortly after midday (0900 GMT). Columns of thick smoke immediately covered the area. |
| Smoke billowed over the scene of the bombing | Smoke billowed over the scene of the bombing |
| The BBC's Mike Wooldridge in Baghdad says the market was popular with the many Baghdad residents on low incomes, and that the area was also a busy transport interchange. | The BBC's Mike Wooldridge in Baghdad says the market was popular with the many Baghdad residents on low incomes, and that the area was also a busy transport interchange. |
| It was choked with traffic at the time, he adds, and there are fears the death toll could yet climb further. | It was choked with traffic at the time, he adds, and there are fears the death toll could yet climb further. |
| The attacks are seen as highlighting the challenges faced by US forces as they prepare to try to rein in the Sunni and Shia fighters who have been carrying out deadly tit-for-tat attacks. | The attacks are seen as highlighting the challenges faced by US forces as they prepare to try to rein in the Sunni and Shia fighters 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. |
| Doubts, however, remain as to whether there will be enough extra troops to stabilise a city of more than six million people, while among Baghdad residents there are fears the presence of the troops will simply inspire more violence. | Doubts, however, remain as to whether there will be enough extra troops to stabilise a city of more than six million people, while among Baghdad residents there are fears the presence of the troops will simply inspire more violence. |
| US troops have suffered significant losses in recent days. On Saturday, 25 soldiers were killed - one of the worst days for the American army since the invasion. | US troops have suffered significant losses in recent days. On Saturday, 25 soldiers were killed - one of the worst days for the American army since the invasion. |