Menu
11/02/2004
Second car bomb in 24 hours kills 46 Iraqis
Iraq has suffered its second devastating car bomb attack in 24 hours – this time 46 people have been confirmed dead.
Like yesterday's explosion, Iraqi civilians were the targets as they queued up to seek work in the country's fledgling armed services.
The blast occurred at around 7.40am local time close to an army recruiting centre in Baghdad. Up to 54 people are thought to have been injured.
US officials believe that a suicide bomber drove a car, loaded with between 135-225kg of explosives, close to the building before detonating the device.
One eyewitness described the scene as "apocalyptic", with many body parts strewn among the carnage.
This second attack tragically confirms that the rebels have changed tactics to target Iraqi civilians wishing to serve in the security forces – viewed as collaborators by rebels. More than 150,000 Iraqis are currently employed in the country's security services.
Yesterday morning, a car bomb in the town of Iskandiriyah, 25 miles south of the capital, claimed the lives of 53 people.
The attacks coincide with the visit of a UN team, sent to the area to consider the feasibility of holding early elections in Iraq. The deadline is also closing in for the official handover of power from US-led administrators to an Iraqi governing council - which is scheduled for June 30.
Yesterday, the US published a 17-page letter, said to have been seized in the capture of an al Qaeda courier last month.
The letter seeks al Qaeda's help in instigating ethnic violence to derail progress toward a free and stable Iraq, US officials stated.
US analysts have concluded the letter was written by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi – a suspect in numerous terrorist bombings in Iraq and long believed to have al Qaeda ties – and was intended for the terror organization's top leadership, perhaps even for Osama bin Laden himself.
(gmcg)
Like yesterday's explosion, Iraqi civilians were the targets as they queued up to seek work in the country's fledgling armed services.
The blast occurred at around 7.40am local time close to an army recruiting centre in Baghdad. Up to 54 people are thought to have been injured.
US officials believe that a suicide bomber drove a car, loaded with between 135-225kg of explosives, close to the building before detonating the device.
One eyewitness described the scene as "apocalyptic", with many body parts strewn among the carnage.
This second attack tragically confirms that the rebels have changed tactics to target Iraqi civilians wishing to serve in the security forces – viewed as collaborators by rebels. More than 150,000 Iraqis are currently employed in the country's security services.
Yesterday morning, a car bomb in the town of Iskandiriyah, 25 miles south of the capital, claimed the lives of 53 people.
The attacks coincide with the visit of a UN team, sent to the area to consider the feasibility of holding early elections in Iraq. The deadline is also closing in for the official handover of power from US-led administrators to an Iraqi governing council - which is scheduled for June 30.
Yesterday, the US published a 17-page letter, said to have been seized in the capture of an al Qaeda courier last month.
The letter seeks al Qaeda's help in instigating ethnic violence to derail progress toward a free and stable Iraq, US officials stated.
US analysts have concluded the letter was written by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi – a suspect in numerous terrorist bombings in Iraq and long believed to have al Qaeda ties – and was intended for the terror organization's top leadership, perhaps even for Osama bin Laden himself.
(gmcg)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
14 September 2004
47 die in 'senseless' Baghdad car bombing
The Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has condemned as "senseless" the detonation of a car bomb in Baghdad today which claimed the lives of at least 47 people. The bomb, which exploded in a crowded marketplace close to a police station on Haifa Street, injured around 115 people, according to reports.
47 die in 'senseless' Baghdad car bombing
The Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has condemned as "senseless" the detonation of a car bomb in Baghdad today which claimed the lives of at least 47 people. The bomb, which exploded in a crowded marketplace close to a police station on Haifa Street, injured around 115 people, according to reports.
22 February 2006
Blast wrecks Shia shrine
Bombers have seriously damaged one of Shia Islam's most holy sites in Iraq. The al-Askari shrine in Samarra was severely damaged in an early morning raid carried out by two bombers. The shrine's golden dome was blasted off in the attack and there have been reports of reprisal raids on Sunni holy sites in other parts of the country.
Blast wrecks Shia shrine
Bombers have seriously damaged one of Shia Islam's most holy sites in Iraq. The al-Askari shrine in Samarra was severely damaged in an early morning raid carried out by two bombers. The shrine's golden dome was blasted off in the attack and there have been reports of reprisal raids on Sunni holy sites in other parts of the country.
28 June 2004
Blair welcomes transfer of power to Iraqis
Prime Minister Tony Blair has welcomed the transfer of sovereignty back into the hands of local authorities and said that it was "the will of the whole international community for Iraq to take control of its own destiny".
Blair welcomes transfer of power to Iraqis
Prime Minister Tony Blair has welcomed the transfer of sovereignty back into the hands of local authorities and said that it was "the will of the whole international community for Iraq to take control of its own destiny".
28 July 2004
68 killed in Baquba suicide bomb
A car bomb outside a police station in northern Iraq has killed almost 70 people, it has been reported today. The BBC has reported that at least 68 people died when a suicide bomber detonated explosives – which had been packed into a minibus – amid a crowded marketplace in Baquba, which lies 40 miles north-east of the capital Baghdad.
68 killed in Baquba suicide bomb
A car bomb outside a police station in northern Iraq has killed almost 70 people, it has been reported today. The BBC has reported that at least 68 people died when a suicide bomber detonated explosives – which had been packed into a minibus – amid a crowded marketplace in Baquba, which lies 40 miles north-east of the capital Baghdad.
21 December 2010
Iraqis Lose High Court Abuse Bids
Iraqi civilians, who claimed they were abused by British forces in Iraq, have lost their High Court bid for a public inquiry. Two judges stood by Defence Secretary Liam Fox's refusal to order a wide-ranging investigation. Mr Fox argued it was not systemic and any abuse carried out involved "a few bad apples".
Iraqis Lose High Court Abuse Bids
Iraqi civilians, who claimed they were abused by British forces in Iraq, have lost their High Court bid for a public inquiry. Two judges stood by Defence Secretary Liam Fox's refusal to order a wide-ranging investigation. Mr Fox argued it was not systemic and any abuse carried out involved "a few bad apples".
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Perhaps a touch of ground frost. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
