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Iraq violence: Baghdad car bombs kill more than 57 | |
(35 minutes later) | |
At least 57 people have been killed in a series of car bombs targeting mainly Shia areas in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, police say. | |
Many more were wounded as at least a dozen bombs hit busy shopping areas and markets in the city. | |
The violence comes amid a recent marked rise in attacks linked to growing political and sectarian tension. | The violence comes amid a recent marked rise in attacks linked to growing political and sectarian tension. |
It has raised fears of a return to the levels of sectarian violence seen in 2006 and 2007, in which thousands died. | |
Busy areas | |
One bombing struck the busy commercial Sadoun Street in central Baghdad. One bystander who saw that attack, Zein al-Abidin, said a four-year-old child was among the victims. | |
"What crime have those innocent people committed?" he asked. | |
Other neighbourhoods which were targeted include al-Maalif, where six died, and Habibiya, where 12 were killed, according to the Associated Press news agency. | |
No group has said it carried out the attacks, but tension between the Shia Muslim majority, which leads the government, and minority Sunnis has been growing since last year. | No group has said it carried out the attacks, but tension between the Shia Muslim majority, which leads the government, and minority Sunnis has been growing since last year. |
Sunnis have accused the government of Prime Minister Nouri Maliki of discriminating against them - something the government denies. | Sunnis have accused the government of Prime Minister Nouri Maliki of discriminating against them - something the government denies. |
Mr Maliki has vowed to make immediate changes to Iraq's security strategy, saying militants "will not be able to return us to the sectarian conflict". | Mr Maliki has vowed to make immediate changes to Iraq's security strategy, saying militants "will not be able to return us to the sectarian conflict". |
Monday's bombings come a week after more than 70 people were killed and many others injured in a series of attacks across the country, in what was described as one of the worst days for sectarian violence in Iraq for several years. | Monday's bombings come a week after more than 70 people were killed and many others injured in a series of attacks across the country, in what was described as one of the worst days for sectarian violence in Iraq for several years. |
Baghdad was worst hit, with several explosions at bus stations and markets in mainly Shia Muslim districts. | Baghdad was worst hit, with several explosions at bus stations and markets in mainly Shia Muslim districts. |
Estimates put the number of deaths this month at more than 450 - the second consecutive month during which more than 400 people have been killed. | Estimates put the number of deaths this month at more than 450 - the second consecutive month during which more than 400 people have been killed. |