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Iraqi suicide bombings 'kill 10' Iraqi suicide bombings 'kill 10'
(10 minutes later)
Twin suicide attacks in the central Iraqi city of Baquba have killed at least 10 people and injured 20 more. Three suicide attacks in the central Iraqi city of Baquba have killed at least 10 people and injured 20 more.
The two explosions happened within minutes near a police checkpoint in the city, 60km (40 miles) north of the capital Baghdad. Two explosions happened within minutes near a police checkpoint in the city, 60km (40 miles) north of the capital Baghdad.
Two policemen were among those killed, local reports said. A third blast shortly afterwards targeted the city's main hospital.
The blasts came just days before nationwide parliamentary elections, only the second such polls since Saddam Hussein was ousted in 2003. The attacks came just days before nationwide parliamentary elections, only the second such polls since Saddam Hussein was ousted in 2003.
The first attack came at around 0930 (0730 GMT), when a suicide car bomber crashed and detonated his vehicle at a police checkpoint. The first attack came at around 0930 (0630 GMT), when a suicide car bomber crashed and detonated his vehicle at a police checkpoint.
The second car bomber struck moments later at a nearby road junction.The second car bomber struck moments later at a nearby road junction.
There were also reports of a third attack by a female suicide bomber at one of the city's hospitals, but police gave no further details.
Sectarian tensionsSectarian tensions
The attacks come amid heightened sectarian tension ahead Sunday's polls, with fears Iraq could slide back into sectarian violence.The attacks come amid heightened sectarian tension ahead Sunday's polls, with fears Iraq could slide back into sectarian violence.
Baquba has been the scene of occasional fighting between Islamist militants and US-backed Afghan troops, says the BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse in Baghdad.Baquba has been the scene of occasional fighting between Islamist militants and US-backed Afghan troops, says the BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse in Baghdad.
Iraqi forces have deployed in large numbers across the country to try and prevent attacks of this kind, adds our correspondent.Iraqi forces have deployed in large numbers across the country to try and prevent attacks of this kind, adds our correspondent.
In the run-up to the election there have been angry protests by both Sunni and Shia groups.In the run-up to the election there have been angry protests by both Sunni and Shia groups.
Shia parties insist the Baathists must be purged and have voiced fears about what they see as American interference in the electoral process.Shia parties insist the Baathists must be purged and have voiced fears about what they see as American interference in the electoral process.
Baathism is a form of secular Arab nationalism and was the ideology espoused by Saddam Hussein when he came to power.Baathism is a form of secular Arab nationalism and was the ideology espoused by Saddam Hussein when he came to power.
Although a minority, Sunni Muslims were dominant under Saddam Hussein's rule but have since complained of being marginalised under the post-Saddam Shia-led government.Although a minority, Sunni Muslims were dominant under Saddam Hussein's rule but have since complained of being marginalised under the post-Saddam Shia-led government.
Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the bomb attacks?Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the bomb attacks?
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