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/6320495.stm
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Dozens die in Iraq suicide blasts | Dozens die in Iraq suicide blasts |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| At least 73 people have been killed and some 167 injured in a double suicide bombing near a busy market in the Iraqi town of Hilla, local police have said. | |
| A police source told the BBC an officer tried to stop and search the first attacker, but as he did so both men detonated their explosives. | A police source told the BBC an officer tried to stop and search the first attacker, but as he did so both men detonated their explosives. |
| It came as at least 10 other people were killed in bomb and mortar attacks across the capital, Baghdad. | It came as at least 10 other people were killed in bomb and mortar attacks across the capital, Baghdad. |
| Six people died when a minibus was hit in the mainly Shia area of Karrada. | Six people died when a minibus was hit in the mainly Shia area of Karrada. |
| Three more people died in a car bomb in another mainly Shia district of the capital, Rusfasi. | Three more people died in a car bomb in another mainly Shia district of the capital, Rusfasi. |
| The blasts followed mortar attacks in the mainly Sunni area of Adhamiya, in which at least one person was killed. | The blasts followed mortar attacks in the mainly Sunni area of Adhamiya, in which at least one person was killed. |
| Police said they also found 30 unidentified bodies across the capital. | Police said they also found 30 unidentified bodies across the capital. |
| 'Acting suspiciously' | 'Acting suspiciously' |
| The bloodiest attack occurred close to a crowded market in the mainly Shia town of Hilla, about 120km (75 miles) south of Baghdad. | The bloodiest attack occurred close to a crowded market in the mainly Shia town of Hilla, about 120km (75 miles) south of Baghdad. |
| The two bombers were on foot and approached a barrier at the entrance to the market, police said. | The two bombers were on foot and approached a barrier at the entrance to the market, police said. |
| The barrier had been in place since a massive bombing in the town centre in 2005 that killed more than 120 people. | The barrier had been in place since a massive bombing in the town centre in 2005 that killed more than 120 people. |
| Police thought one of the men was acting suspiciously and moved to stop and search him. | Police thought one of the men was acting suspiciously and moved to stop and search him. |
| The bomber detonated his explosives and the second man walking behind him then did the same, according to police. | The bomber detonated his explosives and the second man walking behind him then did the same, according to police. |
| The BBC's Mike Wooldridge, in Baghdad, says markets have been a particular target of the bombers over the past couple of weeks - mostly in Baghdad but outside the capital too. | The BBC's Mike Wooldridge, in Baghdad, says markets have been a particular target of the bombers over the past couple of weeks - mostly in Baghdad but outside the capital too. |
| Growing controversy | Growing controversy |
| Meanwhile, the Iraqi government has denied using excessive force in a battle last weekend in which more than 260 people died near the Shia holy city of Najaf. | Meanwhile, the Iraqi government has denied using excessive force in a battle last weekend in which more than 260 people died near the Shia holy city of Najaf. |
| A government spokesman said Iraqi and US forces fought members of a religious cult, calling themselves the Soldiers of Heaven, who had threatened to carry out acts of terrorism. | A government spokesman said Iraqi and US forces fought members of a religious cult, calling themselves the Soldiers of Heaven, who had threatened to carry out acts of terrorism. |
| The group had resisted repeated calls to surrender, and as for the level of force used, Ali Dabbagh said the government was entitled to protect Iraqi citizens. | The group had resisted repeated calls to surrender, and as for the level of force used, Ali Dabbagh said the government was entitled to protect Iraqi citizens. |
| However, the official version of events has not gone unchallenged and controversy is growing. | However, the official version of events has not gone unchallenged and controversy is growing. |
| According to accounts on an Iraqi website and in the British media, the drama began with a clash between an Iraqi tribe on a pilgrimage to Najaf and an Iraqi army checkpoint. | According to accounts on an Iraqi website and in the British media, the drama began with a clash between an Iraqi tribe on a pilgrimage to Najaf and an Iraqi army checkpoint. |
| The fighting escalated, army commanders called for reinforcements and US aircraft launched an aerial bombardment - with significant loss of life. | The fighting escalated, army commanders called for reinforcements and US aircraft launched an aerial bombardment - with significant loss of life. |
| According to this account, the involvement of the Soldiers of Heaven appears to have been accidental. | According to this account, the involvement of the Soldiers of Heaven appears to have been accidental. |