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| Deadly market bomb hits Iraq city | Deadly market bomb hits Iraq city |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| At least 27 people have been killed by a car bomb at a market in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk, officials say. | At least 27 people have been killed by a car bomb at a market in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk, officials say. |
| The attack in the Shurja district came as Iraqis celebrated the withdrawal of US troops from towns and cities in Iraq, six years after the invasion. | The attack in the Shurja district came as Iraqis celebrated the withdrawal of US troops from towns and cities in Iraq, six years after the invasion. |
| US President Barack Obama said the move was an important milestone for Iraq, but that "difficult days" lay ahead. | US President Barack Obama said the move was an important milestone for Iraq, but that "difficult days" lay ahead. |
| The Kirkuk blast came 10 days after a truck bomb killed more than 70 in the city's deadliest attack in over a year. | The Kirkuk blast came 10 days after a truck bomb killed more than 70 in the city's deadliest attack in over a year. |
| Iraqi and US troops have been on alert for attacks during the pullback, which was declared a national holiday. | Iraqi and US troops have been on alert for attacks during the pullback, which was declared a national holiday. |
| Police Brig Gen Sarhat Qadir told the Associated Press news agency that at least 40 people had been wounded in the latest blast, caused by an explosives-laden vehicle parked near the crowded outdoor Shurja market. | Police Brig Gen Sarhat Qadir told the Associated Press news agency that at least 40 people had been wounded in the latest blast, caused by an explosives-laden vehicle parked near the crowded outdoor Shurja market. |
| Volatile mix | Volatile mix |
| A teeming maze of shops and stalls, Shurja is one of the country's best-known markets, attracting buyers and sellers from all over Iraq, say correspondents. | A teeming maze of shops and stalls, Shurja is one of the country's best-known markets, attracting buyers and sellers from all over Iraq, say correspondents. |
| Those who think Iraqis are unable to protect their country commit a big mistake Nouri MalikiIraqi Prime Minister Iraqi voices: US troop pullback In pictures: Iraq celebrates Oil firms spurn Iraq contracts | |
| Kirkuk, about 250km (155 miles) from Baghdad, was also the scene of two suicide bombings last month, in which 14 people were killed. | Kirkuk, about 250km (155 miles) from Baghdad, was also the scene of two suicide bombings last month, in which 14 people were killed. |
| The city is the centre of northern Iraq's oil industry, and home to a volatile mix of Kurds, Arabs, Christians and members of the Turkmen community. | The city is the centre of northern Iraq's oil industry, and home to a volatile mix of Kurds, Arabs, Christians and members of the Turkmen community. |
| The BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad says Tuesday's car bomb appears to be just the kind of attack designed to stir up ethnic tensions between Kurds and Arabs. | The BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad says Tuesday's car bomb appears to be just the kind of attack designed to stir up ethnic tensions between Kurds and Arabs. |
| Most of the other bombs that have killed around 250 people in the past fortnight have been aimed at Shia areas. | Most of the other bombs that have killed around 250 people in the past fortnight have been aimed at Shia areas. |
| Our correspondent says the clear aim is to reignite the sectarian carnage that took the country to the brink of civil war three years ago. | Our correspondent says the clear aim is to reignite the sectarian carnage that took the country to the brink of civil war three years ago. |
| With American troops now taking a back seat, the big question, our correspondent adds, is can Iraqi forces cope with the challenge? | With American troops now taking a back seat, the big question, our correspondent adds, is can Iraqi forces cope with the challenge? |
| 'Senseless' | 'Senseless' |
| Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki is adamant they can. | Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki is adamant they can. |
| "Those who think that Iraqis are not able to protect their country and that the withdrawal of foreign forces will create a security vacuum are committing a big mistake," he said earlier, in a nationally televised address. | "Those who think that Iraqis are not able to protect their country and that the withdrawal of foreign forces will create a security vacuum are committing a big mistake," he said earlier, in a nationally televised address. |
| Advertisement | Advertisement |
| US soldier on leaving Iraq's town centres | US soldier on leaving Iraq's town centres |
| Our correspondent says Mr Maliki's police and troops will have to prove on the ground that they are Iraqis - not Shias or Sunnis or Kurds - if they are to prevail. | Our correspondent says Mr Maliki's police and troops will have to prove on the ground that they are Iraqis - not Shias or Sunnis or Kurds - if they are to prevail. |
| In Washington, President Obama called the Kirkuk bombing "senseless", adding: "The future belongs to those who build, not to those who destroy." | In Washington, President Obama called the Kirkuk bombing "senseless", adding: "The future belongs to those who build, not to those who destroy." |
| Meanwhile, despite their pullback from cities and towns, US troops will still be embedded with Iraqi forces. | Meanwhile, despite their pullback from cities and towns, US troops will still be embedded with Iraqi forces. |
| Hours before the Monday night deadline for the withdrawal, four US soldiers were killed in combat in Baghdad. | Hours before the Monday night deadline for the withdrawal, four US soldiers were killed in combat in Baghdad. |
| US commanders have said security and stability are improving. | US commanders have said security and stability are improving. |
| Iraqi soldiers paraded through Baghdad's streets on Monday in vehicles decorated with flowers and Iraqi flags, while patriotic songs were played through loudspeakers at checkpoints. | Iraqi soldiers paraded through Baghdad's streets on Monday in vehicles decorated with flowers and Iraqi flags, while patriotic songs were played through loudspeakers at checkpoints. |
| The pullback comes two years after the US "surge" of extra troops between February and June 2007, which saw US troop levels in Iraq reach about 170,000. | The pullback comes two years after the US "surge" of extra troops between February and June 2007, which saw US troop levels in Iraq reach about 170,000. |
| US-led combat operations are due to end by September 2010, with all troops gone from Iraq by the end of 2011. | US-led combat operations are due to end by September 2010, with all troops gone from Iraq by the end of 2011. |
| Some 131,000 US troops remain in Iraq, including 12 combat brigades, and the total is not expected to drop below 128,000 until after the Iraqi national election in January. | Some 131,000 US troops remain in Iraq, including 12 combat brigades, and the total is not expected to drop below 128,000 until after the Iraqi national election in January. |
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| A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |