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Suicide bombers strike in Baghdad Suicide bombers strike in Baghdad
(about 1 hour later)
At least 15 people are believed to have been killed and 55 injured in twin suicide car bomb attacks in Baghdad.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. 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.
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 attacks on markets. The worst killed 88 people.
Police said that eight computer firm employees were also kidnapped on Saturday by men in police uniforms. The attacks come despite the arrival last week of the first of more than 21,000 extra US troops intended to bring an end to sectarian violence.
Markets targeted In other violence on Saturday:
Reports said that the first suicide bomber drove his vehicle into a busy street near a bird market in the Shia district.
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  • Iraqi police said eight computer firm employees were kidnapped by men in police uniforms in central Baghdad
The second bomber triggered his explosion minutes later, targeting those who had come to help victims of the first bomb.
  • The US military said it had killed 14 suspected insurgents during an air strike on a building used as a hideout south of Baquba
  • A rocker or mortar landed inside Baghdad's Green Zone near the US Embassy. It is unclear if anyone was injured
    • Shia targets
    Saturday's deadliest attack near a bird market in New Baghdad began when a suicide car bomber exploded his car in a busy street.
    A second bomber then triggered an explosion minutes later, targeting those who had come to help victims of the first bomb.
    Shop owner Farooq Haitham told Associated Press news agency onlookers had ferried the injured to hospital in civilian cars.
    The violence comes despite an increase in US troops in Baghdad
    "This area has witnessed many explosions, but what can we do? We want to live, our need for money forces us to come again and work," he said.
    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. An attack on a market in Baghdad's central neighbourhood of Bab al-Sharqi on Monday killed 88.
    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. The Iraqi government has pledged to tackle the bloodshed from both sides of the sectarian divide as part of a new security offensive.
    Mounting opposition However, US President George W Bush's strategy for imposing security in Baghdad and beyond has faced strong opposition from Congress.
    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.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.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.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. On a visit to Baghdad, the leader of the US House of Representatives and outspoken critic of Mr Bush's war strategy, Nancy Pelosi, said 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. Ms Pelosi has been holding meetings with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki and other senior government officials.