This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6286459.stm
The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Scores die in Iraq market attack | Scores die in Iraq market attack |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Seventy-five people have been killed in a double car bombing in Baghdad, Iraqi police have told the BBC. | Seventy-five people have been killed in a double car bombing in Baghdad, Iraqi police have told the BBC. |
| One hundred and sixty others were injured in the two blasts at a second-hand market in the city centre. | One hundred and sixty others were injured in the two blasts at a second-hand market in the city centre. |
| This is the second major attack in less than a week. Six days ago, 70 died in a bombing outside a Baghdad university. | This is the second major attack in less than a week. Six days ago, 70 died in a bombing outside a Baghdad university. |
| Monday's attacks came as US troops began to arrive in Baghdad as part of a new plan to bring security to the country, racked by sectarian violence. | |
| The 3,200 troops sent to Baghdad are the advance guard of a 21,500-strong deployment ordered by President George Bush earlier this month. | The 3,200 troops sent to Baghdad are the advance guard of a 21,500-strong deployment ordered by President George Bush earlier this month. |
| Challenge ahead | Challenge ahead |
| The bombs exploded in the Haraj market, which sells second-hand clothing and DVDs, shortly after midday (0900 GMT). Columns of thick smoke could be seen hanging over area. | The bombs exploded in the Haraj market, which sells second-hand clothing and DVDs, shortly after midday (0900 GMT). Columns of thick smoke could be seen hanging over area. |
| Smoke billowed over the scene of the bombing | Smoke billowed over the scene of the bombing |
| The BBC's Mike Wooldridge in Baghdad says the market is popular with the many Baghdad residents on low incomes and that the area is also a busy transport interchange. | The BBC's Mike Wooldridge in Baghdad says the market is popular with the many Baghdad residents on low incomes and that the area is also a busy transport interchange. |
| It was choked with traffic at the time, he adds, and there are fears the death toll could yet climb further. | It was choked with traffic at the time, he adds, and there are fears the death toll could yet climb further. |
| The attacks are seen as highlighting the challenges faced by US forces as they prepare to rein in the Sunni and Shia insurgents who have been carrying out deadly tit-for-tat attacks. | The attacks are seen as highlighting the challenges faced by US forces as they prepare to rein in the Sunni and Shia insurgents who have been carrying out deadly tit-for-tat attacks. |
| Previous attempts to stop the killings in the capital have failed, in part, analysts say, because coalition and Iraqi troops have not stayed in an area once insurgents have been cleared. | Previous attempts to stop the killings in the capital have failed, in part, analysts say, because coalition and Iraqi troops have not stayed in an area once insurgents have been cleared. |
| Under the new plans, once an area is taken, the extra US troops will stay behind, backing up Iraqi forces to hold the area. | Under the new plans, once an area is taken, the extra US troops will stay behind, backing up Iraqi forces to hold the area. |
| Doubts however remain as to whether there will be enough extra troops to stabilise a city of more than six million people, while among Baghdad residents there are fears the presence of the troops will simply inspire more violence. | Doubts however remain as to whether there will be enough extra troops to stabilise a city of more than six million people, while among Baghdad residents there are fears the presence of the troops will simply inspire more violence. |
| US troops have suffered significant losses in recent days. On Saturday, 25 soldiers were killed - one of the worst days for the American army since the invasion. | US troops have suffered significant losses in recent days. On Saturday, 25 soldiers were killed - one of the worst days for the American army since the invasion. |