Market bomb kills 10 in Baghdad

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A car bomb has killed at least 10 people in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.

The blast occurred at a Shalal market in the mainly Shia district of Shaab, as residents were breaking the Ramadan fast at dusk.

The attack, in which at least 26 people were wounded, was the most serious to hit the city in weeks.

Violence has grown between Iraq's majority Shia Muslims and the Sunni minority, who dominated the country until the fall of Saddam Hussein.

The US military last month predicted a spike in sectarian violence during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Earlier on Monday, the brother of one of the most senior Sunni Muslims in Iraq's government was killed by gunmen.

We will take the decisions needed to defend ourselves Khalaf al-AlayanSunni member of parliament

Lieutenant General Amer al-Hashimi was the third of vice president Tareq al -Hashimi's siblings to be killed since April.

Reuters news agency reported that gunmen in camouflage uniforms stormed his house in Baghdad, driving cars similar to those used by Iraq's interior ministry.

The police and interior ministry have become particular flashpoints for sectarian tensions in Iraq.

Stakes raised

Many believe that Shia "death squads", accused of attacks against Sunnis, have infiltrated the police and ministry.

A Sunni member of parliament said that the killing of Mr Hashemi raised the stakes in Iraq.

"The clock is starting to strike after today's events," Khalaf al-Alayan told the Associated Press.

"They (Shiite militias) consider Sunnis terrorists who must be killed. If the zero hour is coming, we will take the decisions needed to defend ourselves."

Meanwhile, five people were arrested on Monday over food poisoning that struck up to 400 police breaking their Ramadan fast in a training camp south of Baghdad on Sunday night.

A supplier to the Numaniya barracks was arrested along with four cooks. An investigation is under way.