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Baghdad bomb attacks leave dozens dead Baghdad bomb attacks leave dozens dead
(35 minutes later)
At least nine explosions have torn through predominantly Shia Muslim areas in and around Baghdad, hitting crowded marketplaces and commercial districts in a string of bombings that killed at least 33 people, officials said. At least nine explosions have torn through predominantly Shia Muslim areas in and around Baghdad, hitting crowded marketplaces and commercial districts and killing at least 33 people, officials said.
The attacks are part of a wave of violence that has spread across Iraq since a deadly security crackdown on a Sunni protest camp in April. Since then, bloodshed in Iraq has reached heights unseen since the country teetered on the brink of civil war in 2006 and 2007.The attacks are part of a wave of violence that has spread across Iraq since a deadly security crackdown on a Sunni protest camp in April. Since then, bloodshed in Iraq has reached heights unseen since the country teetered on the brink of civil war in 2006 and 2007.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Sunday's attacks, but insurgent groups frequently target civilians in markets, cafes and commercial streets in Shia areas in an attempt to undermine confidence in the Shia-led government and stir up Iraq's already simmering sectarian tensions.There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Sunday's attacks, but insurgent groups frequently target civilians in markets, cafes and commercial streets in Shia areas in an attempt to undermine confidence in the Shia-led government and stir up Iraq's already simmering sectarian tensions.
The deadliest attack took place in the mostly Shia neighbourhood of Baiyaa, where a car bomb exploded inside an car repair shop, killing seven people and wounding 14 others, police said. The deadliest attack took place in the mostly Shia neighbourhood of Baiyaa, where a car bomb exploded inside a car repair shop, killing seven people and wounding 14 others, police said.
Another car bomb in a commercial street in downtown Baghdad killed four more, while in the eastern Ghadeer district another car bomb near a government tax office killed six people and wounded 22, authorities said. Another car bomb, in a commercial street in downtown Baghdad, killed four more, while in the eastern Ghadeer district a car bomb near a government tax office killed six people and wounded 22, authorities said.
In the Husseiniyah neighbourhood, a car bomb near a restaurant killed three people and wounded 13. Another car bomb near a small market in Baghdad's Shia slum of Sadr City killed two, while five more died after a blast in a crowded marketplace in the primarily Shia neighbourhood of Amil.In the Husseiniyah neighbourhood, a car bomb near a restaurant killed three people and wounded 13. Another car bomb near a small market in Baghdad's Shia slum of Sadr City killed two, while five more died after a blast in a crowded marketplace in the primarily Shia neighbourhood of Amil.
One bomb struck the Sunni neighbourhood of Radhwaniya, hitting a row of shops and killing two people and wounding eight, police said. In the Taji area north of the capital, a car bomb near an car repair shop killed three people, said police. One bomb struck the Sunni neighbourhood of Radhwaniya, hitting a row of shops and killing two people and wounding eight, police said. In the Taji area north of the capital, a car bomb near another garage killed three people, said police.
An off-duty army officer was killed when a sticky bomb attached to his car exploded as he was driving near his house in Madain town, south of Baghdad, police said.An off-duty army officer was killed when a sticky bomb attached to his car exploded as he was driving near his house in Madain town, south of Baghdad, police said.
Saad Maan Ibrahim, an interior ministry spokesman, said Sunday's attacks bore the hallmark of al-Qaida's Iraqi branch. "Al-Qaida terrorists have been attacking soft targets because they are not able to confront our security forces," he said. "They want to send a message that they are still strong."Saad Maan Ibrahim, an interior ministry spokesman, said Sunday's attacks bore the hallmark of al-Qaida's Iraqi branch. "Al-Qaida terrorists have been attacking soft targets because they are not able to confront our security forces," he said. "They want to send a message that they are still strong."
Medical officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorised to speak to media, confirmed the casualty figures for all attacks. At least 123 people have died in attacks in Iraq so far this month, according to an Associated Press count.Medical officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorised to speak to media, confirmed the casualty figures for all attacks. At least 123 people have died in attacks in Iraq so far this month, according to an Associated Press count.
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