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Deadly car bombings hit Baghdad Iraq cities rocked by car bombs
(about 2 hours later)
A series of three car bombs in central Baghdad has killed at least four people and wounded about 14, Iraqi police say. A series of car bombs has exploded in two Iraqi cities killing at least eight people, police say.
The blasts occurred outside the heavily fortified Green Zone near the Iranian embassy, the foreign ministry, and a popular restaurant, reports say. In central Baghdad three bombs killed at least four people and wounded 14 outside the heavily fortified Green Zone.
It was followed by another co-ordinated car bomb attack in the northern city of Mosul where four people were killed and 40 injured. That attack was followed by another co-ordinated car bombing in the northern city of Mosul where four people were killed and 40 injured.
Analysts say al-Qaeda is trying to destabilise Iraq ahead of March polls.Analysts say al-Qaeda is trying to destabilise Iraq ahead of March polls.
There has been a recent upsurge of violence in Baghdad. A week ago, at least 127 people were killed in multiple car bombings. The blasts in Baghdad occurred near the Iranian embassy, the foreign ministry and the immigration ministry, reports say.
The latest attacks come days after Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki blamed opposition rivalry for security lapses.
Booby trapsBooby traps
The blasts in Baghdad happened within minutes of each other shortly after 0730 local time (0430 GMT). In Mosul two Syrian Orthodox Christian churches and a church school were attacked.
Analysts say al-Qaeda is trying to destabilise Iraq before electionsAnalysts say al-Qaeda is trying to destabilise Iraq before elections
"Dear God, how on earth do the police and soldiers let these booby-trapped vehicles through," Um Ali told Agence France Presse. The blasts come a week after at least 127 people were killed in multiple car bombings in Baghdad.
Her son Maki, 28, was seriously wounded in the blast. The latest attacks struck days after Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki blamed opposition rivalry for security lapses.
The blasts in Baghdad happened within minutes of each other shortly after 0730 local time (0430 GMT).
"Dear God, how on earth do the police and soldiers let these booby-trapped vehicles through," Um Ali told AFP news agency.
Her son Maki, 28, had been seriously wounded in the blast, she said.
"A man left his car this morning and headed off almost at a run. When my son approached the vehicle, it blew up," she said."A man left his car this morning and headed off almost at a run. When my son approached the vehicle, it blew up," she said.
Police officials told reporters they had found and defused a fourth bomb in a pick-up truck nearby.Police officials told reporters they had found and defused a fourth bomb in a pick-up truck nearby.
It carried seven explosive devices, police said. The lesson was about to start when a huge blast shattered the windows Karim JassemSchool pupil
School children Hours after the Baghdad blasts, twin car bombs were detonated near churches in Mosul.
Soon after the Baghdad blasts, twin car bombs were detonated near Christian churches in Mosul. As emergency services and rescuers gathered at the site of the first bomb, a second went off.
As emergency services and rescuers gathered at the site of the one bomb, a second went off. Some of the wounded were school children, police and medics told reporters.
"We were in class and the lesson was about to start when there was a huge blast and the windows shattered. I was wounded in the arm," 15-year-old student Karim Jassem, told AFP.
Another bomb went off at a church in a different part of town, but no-one was injured.
Mosul remains a stronghold of Sunni Islamist militants, and Christians have often been targets of violence since the invasion in 2003.
DEADLY ATTACKS SINCE 2003 Mar 2004: 171 killed in bombings in Baghdad and KarbalaNov 2006: 202 killed in multiple blasts in BaghdadMar 2007: 152 killed in truck bombing in TalafarApr 2007: 191 killed in car bombings in BaghdadAug 2007: More than 500 killed in attacks on villages near SinjarAug 2009: 95 killed in lorry bombs in BaghdadOct 2009: 155 killed in twin truck bomb attacks in BaghdadDec 2009: At least 127 killed in a series of car bombs in Baghdad Source: News agencies, BBCDEADLY ATTACKS SINCE 2003 Mar 2004: 171 killed in bombings in Baghdad and KarbalaNov 2006: 202 killed in multiple blasts in BaghdadMar 2007: 152 killed in truck bombing in TalafarApr 2007: 191 killed in car bombings in BaghdadAug 2007: More than 500 killed in attacks on villages near SinjarAug 2009: 95 killed in lorry bombs in BaghdadOct 2009: 155 killed in twin truck bomb attacks in BaghdadDec 2009: At least 127 killed in a series of car bombs in Baghdad Source: News agencies, BBC
Some of the wounded were schoolchildren, police and medics told reporters.
Another bomb went off at a church in another part of town, but no-one was injured.
Mosul remains a stronghold of Sunni Islamist militants, and Christians have been frequent targets of violence since the invasion in 2003.
Attacks
Iraqi government figures have shown that violence generally has fallen over the past 18 months.Iraqi government figures have shown that violence generally has fallen over the past 18 months.
But in early December at least 127 people were reported killed in five connected suicide car bombs targeting government-run buildings.But in early December at least 127 people were reported killed in five connected suicide car bombs targeting government-run buildings.
In October co-ordinated bomb attacks killed at least 155 people and wounded hundreds in Baghdad.In October co-ordinated bomb attacks killed at least 155 people and wounded hundreds in Baghdad.
Correspondents say that besides occasional massive bombings, insurgents also stage frequent smaller-scale attacks against targets such as marketplaces, mosques or schools.Correspondents say that besides occasional massive bombings, insurgents also stage frequent smaller-scale attacks against targets such as marketplaces, mosques or schools.
Security has been heightened ahead of March's parliamentary elections. Security has been heightened ahead of March's parliamentary elections, after which the US has been planning to withdraw forces.