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Bomb strikes Iraq wedding party Bomb strikes Iraq wedding party
(about 3 hours later)
A bomb has ripped through a wedding convoy in Baghdad, killing at least 15 people, four of them children, the interior ministry says.A bomb has ripped through a wedding convoy in Baghdad, killing at least 15 people, four of them children, the interior ministry says.
The car bomb struck a procession of vehicles at dusk in Ur, on the outskirts of Baghdad's Sadr City.The car bomb struck a procession of vehicles at dusk in Ur, on the outskirts of Baghdad's Sadr City.
The bomb came as residents of Sadr City celebrated the lifting of a security cordon around the Shia stronghold.The bomb came as residents of Sadr City celebrated the lifting of a security cordon around the Shia stronghold.
The blockade was imposed after the authorities suspected that an abducted American soldier might be held there.The blockade was imposed after the authorities suspected that an abducted American soldier might be held there.
At total of at least 19 people were injured in the attack on the wedding party.At total of at least 19 people were injured in the attack on the wedding party.
Earlier, at least 30 bus passengers were kidnapped by an armed gang on a road north of Baghdad, police say.Earlier, at least 30 bus passengers were kidnapped by an armed gang on a road north of Baghdad, police say.
An official said the bus, carrying mainly Shia passengers to the town of Balad, was stopped at a fake checkpoint 40km (24 miles) from the capital.An official said the bus, carrying mainly Shia passengers to the town of Balad, was stopped at a fake checkpoint 40km (24 miles) from the capital.
It is the latest in a spate of mass kidnappings, part of the growing sectarian violence in Iraq.It is the latest in a spate of mass kidnappings, part of the growing sectarian violence in Iraq.
According to police, the bus attack occurred when gunmen stopped the vehicle on its way to the northern town of Balad, the scene of bitter sectarian tensions recently.According to police, the bus attack occurred when gunmen stopped the vehicle on its way to the northern town of Balad, the scene of bitter sectarian tensions recently.
Two weeks ago, at least 30 Sunnis were killed by a Shia militia there in an apparent revenge attack for the murder of 17 Shias.Two weeks ago, at least 30 Sunnis were killed by a Shia militia there in an apparent revenge attack for the murder of 17 Shias.
Checkpoint orderCheckpoint order
The two attacks came as Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki ordered all checkpoints around the Shia suburb of Sadr City to be lifted.The two attacks came as Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki ordered all checkpoints around the Shia suburb of Sadr City to be lifted.
UK call for Iraq inquiry Restive Shia stronghold UK Iraq inquiry rejected Restive Shia stronghold
US and Iraqi forces began lifting the blockade shortly ahead of a deadline imposed by Mr Maliki.US and Iraqi forces began lifting the blockade shortly ahead of a deadline imposed by Mr Maliki.
Residents of the Shia district celebrated as the Iraqi troops removed coils of barbed wire and red traffic cones from the streets of the sprawling district.Residents of the Shia district celebrated as the Iraqi troops removed coils of barbed wire and red traffic cones from the streets of the sprawling district.
US forces had erected a security cordon around the area as they carried out searches for an abducted soldier.US forces had erected a security cordon around the area as they carried out searches for an abducted soldier.
The week-long restrictions, checks and searches caused increasing resentment in the densely-populated neighbourhood.The week-long restrictions, checks and searches caused increasing resentment in the densely-populated neighbourhood.
The decision to lift them came shortly after radical Shia cleric, Moqtada Sadr, called a general strike in protest.The decision to lift them came shortly after radical Shia cleric, Moqtada Sadr, called a general strike in protest.
The district is largely controlled by the Mehdi Army, a militia led by Mr Sadr.The district is largely controlled by the Mehdi Army, a militia led by Mr Sadr.
Growing tensionGrowing tension
The area has seen brief clashes between US forces and the Mehdi Army since the blockade was imposed.The area has seen brief clashes between US forces and the Mehdi Army since the blockade was imposed.
The BBC's regional analyst, Roger Hardy, says the Iraqi prime minister's announcement reveals the increasing tension between the Baghdad government and the US administration.The BBC's regional analyst, Roger Hardy, says the Iraqi prime minister's announcement reveals the increasing tension between the Baghdad government and the US administration.
He says they are at odds over security issues, what to do about militias, and how best to achieve national reconciliation - especially with the country's aggrieved Sunni Arab minority.He says they are at odds over security issues, what to do about militias, and how best to achieve national reconciliation - especially with the country's aggrieved Sunni Arab minority.
The abducted man, an Iraq-born US serviceman was seized last Monday after leaving his base inside Baghdad's fortified Green Zone to visit Iraqi relatives in the city.The abducted man, an Iraq-born US serviceman was seized last Monday after leaving his base inside Baghdad's fortified Green Zone to visit Iraqi relatives in the city.