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Deadly market bomb hits Iraq city Deadly market bomb hits Iraq city
(about 1 hour later)
At least 25 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.
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.
Ten days ago more than 70 people were killed in a truck bombing in Kirkuk - the deadliest attack in over a year.Ten days ago more than 70 people were killed in a truck bombing in Kirkuk - the deadliest attack in over a year.
Police Brig Gen Sarhat Qadir told the Associated Press news agency 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 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 mixVolatile mix
A teeming maze of shops and stalls, it 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, it 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 celebratesThose 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
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.
Sunni insurgents and groups including al-Qaeda remain active in the area despite security improvements in other parts of the country, correspondents say. 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.
Both American and Iraqi commanders have warned they expect al-Qaeda in Iraq and other groups to attempt to re-ignite sectarian tensions. Most of the other bombs that have killed around 250 people in the past fortnight have been aimed at Shia areas.
Despite their pullback from cities and towns, US troops will still be embedded with Iraqi forces. 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.
Hours before the Monday night deadline for the withdrawal, four US soldiers were killed in combat in Baghdad. With American troops now taking a back seat, the big question, our correspondent adds, is can Iraqi forces cope with the challenge?
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.
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US soldier on leaving Iraq's town centresUS soldier on leaving Iraq's town centres
US commanders have said security and stability is improving, and that Iraqi forces are now ready to take over security operations. 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.
Prime Minister Nouri Maliki assured Iraqis on Tuesday that government forces taking over from the Americans were more than capable of ensuring security. Meanwhile, despite their pullback from cities and towns, US troops will still be embedded with Iraqi forces.
"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 in a nationally televised address. 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.
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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