Middle East

Deadly bombs strike Iraq day after blasts

At least eight people killed and dozens wounded after series of bombs explode near Baghdad, police and doctors say.
Last Modified: 01 Mar 2013 10:34
The latest violence comes one day after several people were killed in series of bombs and shooting attacks [AFP]

Explosions in Iraq, including car bombs detonated at a sheep market south of Baghdad, have killed at least eight people and wounded dozens of others, officials have said.

The blasts come a day after several people were killed and wounded in a series of bomb attacks and shootings around Baghdad.

Brigadier General Abdul Jalil al-Assadi, the police chief of Diwaniyah province, said two car bombs went off at about 7.30am local time (04:30GMT) in the market on Friday.

Dr Adnan Turki, the director of the Diwaniyah health department, confirmed an earlier death toll of five people who were killed at the market bombing.

Witnesses said cows and calves were lying on the ground, covered in blood and dirt after the bombs were detonated simultaneously at the market, which is around 150km south of the capital.

"I came to buy some calves and was checking them when the explosion happened, I threw myself on the ground, then the second explosion happened," Jassim Khalid, a butcher at the scene said.

Daily attacks

Two roadside bombs also exploded in a village near Dujail, north of Baghdad, killing one person and wounding five, including three police, a police lieutenant colonel and a doctor said.

One soldier was killed by a magnetic "sticky bomb" on his car near the north Iraq city of Mosul, an army first lieutenant and a doctor said.

And two car bombs - one near a school and another near a police checkpoint - detonated in Mussayib, south of Baghdad, wounding two people, police and a medic said.

Violence in Iraq is down from its 2006-2007 peak, but attacks fuelled by sectarian and political unrest still occur almost every day.

More than 200 people have been killed and over 550 wounded in attacks in Iraq February, according to an AFP news agency toll based on security and medical sources.

307

Source:
Agencies
Topics in this article
People
Country
City
Featured on Al Jazeera
Murder of Somali draws ire of foreign African nationals over rising xenophobic violence.
We look at the impact of increased sanctions against the Islamic Republic and ask who it really affects.
Tupamaros enforce rough justice in Venezuela's slums to support socialism, but critics say the group are violent thugs.
More than a decade ago the US launched a war against Afghanistan, but was it a justified battle?
Featured
Two years since the start of the uprising, rebels and Assad's forces remain locked in conflict.
Extensive coverage of political unrest that spread from Istanbul to other areas.
Weeks of demonstrations could benefit AKP's grip on power - or be a game-changer.
More than 100 million girls have suffered genital 'cutting' to save family honour.
News and analysis of 2013 presidential contest as Ahmadinejad finishes second term.
join our mailing list