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May 7th, 2009


15 Dead in Fruit Market Bomb, 40 Hurt

Blast follows sharp increase in violence over past month

Image: Bombing in Baghdad, Iraq
A man stands amid vehicles destroyed in a explosion in Baghdad, Iraq, on Wednesday, May 6, 2009. (Photo credit: Loay Hameed / AP)


May 6, 2009

BAGHDAD — A car bomb exploded Wednesday at the entrance to a fruit and vegetable market in south Baghdad, killing 15 people and wounding about 40, police and hospital officials said, in the latest sign of rising attacks.

The blast, which occurred about 7 a.m. at the Rasheed market in the city’s southern Dora area, follows a sharp increase in violence in Iraq last month, raising concern that militants have regrouped after suffering sharp setbacks in fighting over the last two years.

Hours later, another car bomb exploded in the capital’s Karradah district, killing two people and wounding six, police said. The bomb apparently targeted a police patrol but missed.

Most of the recent bombings have taken place in Shiite areas, suggesting Sunni militants such as al-Qaida in Iraq are responsible. The Rasheed market is in a mainly Sunni area, but the farmers who bring their crops there are predominantly Shiites. …

‘Bodies scattered everywhere’

Kamil Lahmoud, a Shiite farmer from Mahmoudiya, said he had just sold his produce and was inside an office collecting his money when the blast happened.

“I was injured slightly in my head and left hand,” he said. “I went out and saw many people covered with blood and bodies scattered everywhere.” …

Despite the rise in attacks, the Iraqi government has ruled out asking U.S. combat troops to remain in Iraqi cities after the June 30 deadline for their withdrawal. …

The departure of heavily armed American soldiers from bases inside the cities is important psychologically to many Iraqis, who are eager to regain control of their country after six years of war and U.S. military occupation.

Related reports

Some U.S.-backed Iraqi fighters desert posts (Reuters, May 6, 2009) – Some U.S.-allied Sunni Arab fighters who helped drive al Qaeda out of much of Iraq are deserting their posts because of delays in pay and a spate of arrests and government raids targeting them, their leaders say. … Full story

Corruption seen at root of Iraq’s lack of services (Reuters, May 7, 2009) – In 2008, only Somalia and Myanmar (Burma) were seen as more corrupt than Iraq, according to Transparency International. … Full story

——

Security Developments in Iraq

Following are security developments in Iraq on Wednesday, May 6, 2009 as reported by Reuters.

BAGHDAD – A truck bomb killed 10 people and wounded 37 others when it exploded in a wholesale vegetable market in southern Baghdad’s Doura district, police said.

BAGHDAD – A bomb planted in a parked car in the Karrada district of central Baghdad killed one person and wounded four people, police said.

MOSUL – A roadside bomb killed a man and wounded two people in eastern Mosul, 240 miles north of Baghdad, police said.

MOSUL – A roadside bomb wounded a woman and a child in western Mosul, police said.

BAIJI – Three people were wounded when two bombs attached to oil trucks exploded near the Baiji oil refinery, 112 miles north of Baghdad, police said.

Following are security developments in Iraq on Tuesday, May 5, 2009 as reported by Reuters.

KIRKUK – The body of a man was found in southern Kirkuk, 155 miles north of Baghdad, police said.

KIRKUK – Gunmen wounded an official from the oil police in central Kirkuk, police said.

MOSUL – Gunmen killed a civilian near his home in western Mosul, 240 miles north of Baghdad, police said.

MOSUL – A roadside bomb wounded a policeman in southern Mosul, police said.

BAGHDAD – Iraqi soldiers killed a Sunni Arab fighter from a U.S.-allied local militia unit and arrested his brother during a raid in Abu Ghraib, a predominantly Sunni district on the western outskirts of Baghdad, Iraqi police said.

MOSUL – A roadside bomb targeting an Iraqi police patrol killed a civilian in western Mosul, 240 miles north of Baghdad, police said.

BAGHDAD – A bomb exploded on Monday in a parking lot belonging to the Doura oil refinery in southern Baghdad, wounding three people, police said.

BAGHDAD – Gunmen on Monday threw a grenade at a police patrol, wounding seven people, including four policemen, in the Doura district of southern Baghdad, police said.

——

AFGHANISTAN / PAKISTAN UPDATE

Image: Swat valley crisis
Armed Pakistani Taliban fighters stand guard with about 30 personnel of the Frontier Constabulary, who they kidnapped in Buner, Pakistan on April 30, 2009, where Pakistani forces have been engaged in an operation against the Taliban. (Photo credit: Rashid Iqbal / EPA)

Pakistan jihadists ‘worst nightmare’ for U.S. (Council on Foreign Relations, May 6, 2009) — ‘Dire’ and ‘deteriorating’ situation threatens very survival of state. … Full story

Key moments in the struggle for Swat Valley (AP, May 6, 2009) — Timeline of the struggle between Taliban militants and Pakistani authorities for control of the northwestern Swat Valley. … Full story

Gates: U.S. troops won’t be sent to Pakistan (AP, May 7, 2009) – There are no plans to deploy U.S. ground troops to Pakistan, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday, despite concerns over increasing violence between Pakistani troops and Taliban militants. … Full story

Afghans protest civilian casualties, one wounded (Reuters, May 7, 2009) — Police opened fire during an angry demonstration in western Afghanistan on Thursday, where marchers protested against a U.S. airstrike that the Red Cross says killed dozens of civilians. … Full story





4 Responses to “Sharp Increase in Iraq Violence”
  1. Immelman for Congress » Blog Archive » Times Square Taliban Link Says:

    […] Sharp Increase in Iraq Violence […]

  2. Immelman for Congress » Blog Archive » Slight Dip in Iraq Death Toll Says:

    […] Sharp Increase in Iraq Violence (May 7, 2009) […]

  3. Immelman for Congress » Blog Archive » Iraq Violence Persists Says:

    […] Sharp Increase in Iraq Violence (May 7, 2009) […]

  4. Immelman for Congress » Blog Archive » Awlaki Escapes U.S. Drone Strike Says:

    […] Sharp Increase in Iraq Violence […]

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