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| Iraq blasts kill nine US troops | Iraq blasts kill nine US troops |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Nine American soldiers from the same command have been killed in two bomb attacks in provinces north of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, the US military says. | Nine American soldiers from the same command have been killed in two bomb attacks in provinces north of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, the US military says. |
| Six US troops died on Monday while on combat operations in Salahuddin province, in one of the deadliest attacks on American forces in months. | Six US troops died on Monday while on combat operations in Salahuddin province, in one of the deadliest attacks on American forces in months. |
| Three other soldiers died in a blast in Diyala province, US officials said. | Three other soldiers died in a blast in Diyala province, US officials said. |
| At least 12 Shia pilgrims were among Iraqis killed in the latest spate of shootings and bombings. | |
| Troops belonging to Task Force Lightning were conducting operations in Salahuddin province when a bomb exploded near their vehicle, killing six soldiers, the US military said on Tuesday. | Troops belonging to Task Force Lightning were conducting operations in Salahuddin province when a bomb exploded near their vehicle, killing six soldiers, the US military said on Tuesday. |
| Thousands of Shia pilgrims are heading towards Karbala | |
| Three others were injured and were taken to a military hospital. | Three others were injured and were taken to a military hospital. |
| A similar roadside blast in Diyala province killed three Task Force Lightning soldiers and injured one. | A similar roadside blast in Diyala province killed three Task Force Lightning soldiers and injured one. |
| Such attacks on American patrols and convoys are a daily occurrence but such a high number of fatalities is unusual, says the BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad. | Such attacks on American patrols and convoys are a daily occurrence but such a high number of fatalities is unusual, says the BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad. |
| In recent weeks American commanders have been openly accusing Iran of allowing the technology for deadly armour piercing bombs to cross the border into that area of Iraq, a charge Iran has denied. | In recent weeks American commanders have been openly accusing Iran of allowing the technology for deadly armour piercing bombs to cross the border into that area of Iraq, a charge Iran has denied. |
| On Saturday, Iranian and American envoys are set to take part in a security conference in Baghdad, involving Iraq's neighbours and other interested parties, aimed at winning support for efforts to stabilise the country. | |
| Another country often accused by the Americans of not doing enough to help, Syria, will also be taking part. | |
| Arrests | Arrests |
| The Task Force Lightning troops were killed on the same day as a car bomb ripped through Baghdad's historic booksellers' market, killing 30 people and injuring 65 others - the first major attack in the Iraqi capital for several days. | The Task Force Lightning troops were killed on the same day as a car bomb ripped through Baghdad's historic booksellers' market, killing 30 people and injuring 65 others - the first major attack in the Iraqi capital for several days. |
| The booksellers' district was home to both Sunni and Shia businesses | The booksellers' district was home to both Sunni and Shia businesses |
| Baghdad saw further violence on Tuesday when at least seven pilgrims were killed and 14 injured in car bombings as they set off on a journey to Karbala for the religious festival of Arbaeen. | |
| Five other pilgrims were shot dead in Latifiya, 30km (20 miles) south of Baghdad, police said. | |
| There were also reports that five policemen had died in a bombing in a south-eastern suburb of Baghdad on Tuesday, while in central Baghdad a blast killed two civilians, security officials said. | There were also reports that five policemen had died in a bombing in a south-eastern suburb of Baghdad on Tuesday, while in central Baghdad a blast killed two civilians, security officials said. |
| Iraqi and US security forces are in the third week of a major operation to try to stem the violence in Baghdad. | Iraqi and US security forces are in the third week of a major operation to try to stem the violence in Baghdad. |
| Meanwhile, Iraqi officials have told French news agency AFP that at least 29 suspected al-Qaeda members have been rounded up since Sunday in northern Iraq. | Meanwhile, Iraqi officials have told French news agency AFP that at least 29 suspected al-Qaeda members have been rounded up since Sunday in northern Iraq. |
| Those detained are said to include two brothers of Abu Omar al-Baghdad, who heads a group known as the Islamic State of Iraqi. | Those detained are said to include two brothers of Abu Omar al-Baghdad, who heads a group known as the Islamic State of Iraqi. |
| The group last week murdered 14 policemen in revenge for the alleged rape of a Sunni woman and posted a video of the killings on the internet. | The group last week murdered 14 policemen in revenge for the alleged rape of a Sunni woman and posted a video of the killings on the internet. |