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Dozens killed in Baghdad bombings | Dozens killed in Baghdad bombings |
(about 1 hour later) | |
More than 70 people have been killed in three bomb attacks in market areas of the Iraqi capital Baghdad. | More than 70 people have been killed in three bomb attacks in market areas of the Iraqi capital Baghdad. |
Two bombs went off in quick succession at the Shorja market, killing at least 59 people and wounding about 150. | Two bombs went off in quick succession at the Shorja market, killing at least 59 people and wounding about 150. |
Half an hour earlier a parcel bomb exploded at the Bab al-Sharqi market, killing about 10 people, police said. | Half an hour earlier a parcel bomb exploded at the Bab al-Sharqi market, killing about 10 people, police said. |
The blasts came either side of a 15-minute pause to commemorate the sectarian bombing of an important Shia Muslim shrine in Samarra one year ago. | The blasts came either side of a 15-minute pause to commemorate the sectarian bombing of an important Shia Muslim shrine in Samarra one year ago. |
The Samarra attack - on 22 February, but a year ago by the Islamic calendar - triggered an upsurge in sectarian violence which still grips the country costing thousands of lives a month. | The Samarra attack - on 22 February, but a year ago by the Islamic calendar - triggered an upsurge in sectarian violence which still grips the country costing thousands of lives a month. |
My store was completely burned, I lost $100,000 dollars. The government officials sit calmly in their offices, stuck on their chairs Shorja market trader class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6354229.stm">In pictures: Baghdad blasts Shorja market was once Baghdad's main shopping area, but amid the violent division of Iraq's religious communities it is now mostly a Shia Muslim area, and a target for Sunni extremist groups. | |
Bab al-Sharqi is a rarer phenomenon in Baghdad, correspondents say, in that it is still frequented by Sunni and Shia traders and customers. | Bab al-Sharqi is a rarer phenomenon in Baghdad, correspondents say, in that it is still frequented by Sunni and Shia traders and customers. |
Security drive | Security drive |
The Shorja blast almost coincided with the end of a quarter of an hour's pause starting at midday (0900 GMT), when Iraqis had been urged by Prime Minister Nuri Maliki to stop work to mark the Samarra attack. | The Shorja blast almost coincided with the end of a quarter of an hour's pause starting at midday (0900 GMT), when Iraqis had been urged by Prime Minister Nuri Maliki to stop work to mark the Samarra attack. |
Mr Maliki at the same time ordered thousands of extra security forces onto the streets as part of a much-heralded joint Iraqi and US security plan. | Mr Maliki at the same time ordered thousands of extra security forces onto the streets as part of a much-heralded joint Iraqi and US security plan. |
One report said two cars packed with explosives were detonated in quick succession at Shorja market, obliterating a building and setting shops on fire. | One report said two cars packed with explosives were detonated in quick succession at Shorja market, obliterating a building and setting shops on fire. |
Eyewitnesses described debris and mannequins scattered in thick pools of blood on the floor of one building used as a clothes store. | Eyewitnesses described debris and mannequins scattered in thick pools of blood on the floor of one building used as a clothes store. |
Angry and distressed shopkeepers vented their frustration at the government's apparent inability to combat the wave deadly bombings. | Angry and distressed shopkeepers vented their frustration at the government's apparent inability to combat the wave deadly bombings. |
"My store was completely burned, I lost $100,000 dollars. The government officials sit calmly in their offices, stuck on their chairs," said Mohammed Haider. | "My store was completely burned, I lost $100,000 dollars. The government officials sit calmly in their offices, stuck on their chairs," said Mohammed Haider. |
The Bab al-Sharqi blast half an hour earlier was caused by a bomb hidden in a bag planted near a popular take-away falafel restaurant. | The Bab al-Sharqi blast half an hour earlier was caused by a bomb hidden in a bag planted near a popular take-away falafel restaurant. |
The two markets are little over one kilometre (less than a mile) apart on east side of the River Tigris. | The two markets are little over one kilometre (less than a mile) apart on east side of the River Tigris. |
They have both been targets for bomb attacks in the past. | They have both been targets for bomb attacks in the past. |