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Rogue Iraq militia 'ordered bomb' | Rogue Iraq militia 'ordered bomb' |
(21 minutes later) | |
The US military has blamed a rogue Shia Muslim militia for Tuesday's deadly car bombing in the mainly Shia Hurriya neighbourhood of Baghdad. | The US military has blamed a rogue Shia Muslim militia for Tuesday's deadly car bombing in the mainly Shia Hurriya neighbourhood of Baghdad. |
The confirmed death has risen to 63, Iraqi police said, making it the worst attack in the capital since March. | The confirmed death has risen to 63, Iraqi police said, making it the worst attack in the capital since March. |
Many victims were trapped by a fire which engulfed a nearby building. | Many victims were trapped by a fire which engulfed a nearby building. |
US officials said the attack may have been ordered to incite Sunni-Shia violence and prevent displaced Sunnis returning to their homes in Hurriya. | US officials said the attack may have been ordered to incite Sunni-Shia violence and prevent displaced Sunnis returning to their homes in Hurriya. |
Intelligence information from multiple sources indicated a so-called "special group" led by Haydar Mehdi Khadum al-Fawadi was to blame, said US spokesman Lt Col Steve Stover. | Intelligence information from multiple sources indicated a so-called "special group" led by Haydar Mehdi Khadum al-Fawadi was to blame, said US spokesman Lt Col Steve Stover. |
Initial speculation had been that Sunni Muslim extremists connected to al-Qaeda - blamed for most bombings targeting Shia areas in Baghdad - may have carried out the attack. | Initial speculation had been that Sunni Muslim extremists connected to al-Qaeda - blamed for most bombings targeting Shia areas in Baghdad - may have carried out the attack. |
The car exploded near a crowded bus stop in a commercial area in Hurriya, scene of some of the bloodiest sectarian and anti-US insurgency violence in recent years. | The car exploded near a crowded bus stop in a commercial area in Hurriya, scene of some of the bloodiest sectarian and anti-US insurgency violence in recent years. |
Witnesses said the blast set fire to a shared generator which spread to a two-storey building containing both shops and flats. | Witnesses said the blast set fire to a shared generator which spread to a two-storey building containing both shops and flats. |
The attack followed a sharp drop in insurgency and sectarian violence in Baghdad, the result of crackdowns on Sunni Arab and Shia extremists and moves among Sunni communities to eradicate al-Qaeda-inspired groups. | The attack followed a sharp drop in insurgency and sectarian violence in Baghdad, the result of crackdowns on Sunni Arab and Shia extremists and moves among Sunni communities to eradicate al-Qaeda-inspired groups. |
Some 500 Iraqis were killed last month, compared with more than 1,000 in April. | Some 500 Iraqis were killed last month, compared with more than 1,000 in April. |
And the toll of American soldiers killed in May - at 19 - was the lowest monthly figure since the conflict began. | And the toll of American soldiers killed in May - at 19 - was the lowest monthly figure since the conflict began. |
The US military, which led an invasion to overthrow Saddam Hussein's government five years ago, has repeatedly warned that security improvements are reversible. | The US military, which led an invasion to overthrow Saddam Hussein's government five years ago, has repeatedly warned that security improvements are reversible. |
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