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/6305037.stm
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Suicide bombers strike in Baghdad | Suicide bombers strike in Baghdad |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| At least 15 people are believed to have been killed and 55 injured in twin suicide car bomb attacks in Baghdad. | |
| Iraqi police sources say the bombs exploded in quick succession near a market in the mainly Shia New Baghdad district, in the east of the city. | Iraqi police sources say the bombs exploded in quick succession near a market in the mainly Shia New Baghdad district, in the east of the city. |
| There has been a string of bomb attacks on markets in recent weeks - the worst of which killed 88 people. | There has been a string of bomb attacks on markets in recent weeks - the worst of which killed 88 people. |
| Police said that eight computer firm employees were also kidnapped on Saturday by men in police uniforms. | Police said that eight computer firm employees were also kidnapped on Saturday by men in police uniforms. |
| Markets targeted | |
| Reports said that the first suicide bomber drove his vehicle into a busy street near a bird market in the Shia district. | Reports said that the first suicide bomber drove his vehicle into a busy street near a bird market in the Shia district. |
| The second bomber triggered his explosion minutes later, targeting those who had come to help victims of the first bomb. | The second bomber triggered his explosion minutes later, targeting those who had come to help victims of the first bomb. |
| The BBC's correspondent in Baghdad, Mike Wooldridge, says that markets of various kinds have been a particular target in recent days, many in predominantly Shia areas. | The BBC's correspondent in Baghdad, Mike Wooldridge, says that markets of various kinds have been a particular target in recent days, many in predominantly Shia areas. |
| On Friday, an explosion in Ghazil pet market in the city centre killed 15 and injured 35 others. | On Friday, an explosion in Ghazil pet market in the city centre killed 15 and injured 35 others. |
| Also on Saturday, the US military said they had killed 14 suspected insurgents during an air strike on a building used as a hideout south of Baquba. | |
| The unrelenting violence comes despite the arrival last week of the first of more than 21,000 extra US troops intended to bring an end to sectarian violence. | |
| Mounting opposition | |
| Iraq's government has pledged to tackle the bloodshed from both sides of the sectarian divide as part of a new security offensive. | |
| But, speaking from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Iraq's vice-president also implicitly warned Iran that outside groups should not try to provoke coalition forces. | |
| US President George W Bush's strategy for imposing security in Baghdad and beyond has faced strong opposition from Congress. | |
| The Senate is mulling non-binding resolutions to express its opposition to his plans. | |
| But on Friday, Mr Bush made it clear he will ignore any attempt by Congress to question his decision to bolster troop numbers. | |
| A demonstration in opposition to the troop boost is planned for Washington on Saturday. | |
| In Baghdad, the leader of the US House of Representatives and outspoken critic of Mr Bush's war strategy, Nancy Pelosi, said that it was time for Iraqis to take primary responsibility for the security of their nation. | |
| Ms Pelosi has been in the Iraqi capital since Friday where she has been holding meetings with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki and other senior government officials. |