This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/5322664.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Fresh bombs shake Iraqi capital | Fresh bombs shake Iraqi capital |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| A series of suicide car bombings and roadside blasts in Baghdad has killed about 15 people, including members of the police and security services. | A series of suicide car bombings and roadside blasts in Baghdad has killed about 15 people, including members of the police and security services. |
| In the worst attack a car bomb exploded at a petrol station used by Iraqi police, killing at least five people. | |
| About 15 people were wounded in the blast, which also damaged 20 police and civilian cars waiting to refuel. | About 15 people were wounded in the blast, which also damaged 20 police and civilian cars waiting to refuel. |
| The attacks came hours before the US was due to hand formal control of the Iraqi army to Iraq's prime minister. | The attacks came hours before the US was due to hand formal control of the Iraqi army to Iraq's prime minister. |
| A US military spokesman called it one of the most significant steps in handing power back to Iraqis since the formation of the first democratically elected government in the post-Saddam era. | A US military spokesman called it one of the most significant steps in handing power back to Iraqis since the formation of the first democratically elected government in the post-Saddam era. |
| Spate of attacks | Spate of attacks |
| In one of the attacks, insurgents killed three civilians and wounded 20 more in a roadside bombing near the Sunni al-Nida mosque, in a largely Shia area of north-east Baghdad, security officials said. | In one of the attacks, insurgents killed three civilians and wounded 20 more in a roadside bombing near the Sunni al-Nida mosque, in a largely Shia area of north-east Baghdad, security officials said. |
| Schoolgirl Marwa Faris lost her father in one attackThe bomb exploded as a police patrol was passing the area, officials said, and several security force members were injured. | Schoolgirl Marwa Faris lost her father in one attackThe bomb exploded as a police patrol was passing the area, officials said, and several security force members were injured. |
| In the western Mansour district, a roadside bomb killed a man as he was driving his daughter to school for an exam. Fifteen-year-old Marwa Faris and a passer-by were also injured. | In the western Mansour district, a roadside bomb killed a man as he was driving his daughter to school for an exam. Fifteen-year-old Marwa Faris and a passer-by were also injured. |
| A suicide car bomb also exploded near a road tunnel in the centre of Baghdad, killing two civilians and two police special forces officers, and wounding 13 people. | A suicide car bomb also exploded near a road tunnel in the centre of Baghdad, killing two civilians and two police special forces officers, and wounding 13 people. |
| A roadside bomb also targeted a police patrol in the central Karrada district, killing a civilian and wounding two others. | A roadside bomb also targeted a police patrol in the central Karrada district, killing a civilian and wounding two others. |
| Meanwhile, Iraqi TV reported that a nephew of Iraqi parliament speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani had been kidnapped. Gunmen snatched Ahmed al-Mashhadani on Wednesday night in northern Baghdad, al-Sharqiya TV reported. | Meanwhile, Iraqi TV reported that a nephew of Iraqi parliament speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani had been kidnapped. Gunmen snatched Ahmed al-Mashhadani on Wednesday night in northern Baghdad, al-Sharqiya TV reported. |
| Uncertain timetable | Uncertain timetable |
| The handover ceremony putting Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki in direct control of the military is five days later than scheduled, although the delay has not been explained. | The handover ceremony putting Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki in direct control of the military is five days later than scheduled, although the delay has not been explained. |
| The first units to be transferred are Iraq's small navy and air force, and the 8th Army Division stationed in Najaf. | The first units to be transferred are Iraq's small navy and air force, and the 8th Army Division stationed in Najaf. |
| But correspondents say it is unclear how fast the complete transfer of security control can be achieved. | But correspondents say it is unclear how fast the complete transfer of security control can be achieved. |
| "It's the prime minister's decision how rapidly he wants to move along with assuming control," said US spokesman Maj Gen William Caldwell on Wednesday. | "It's the prime minister's decision how rapidly he wants to move along with assuming control," said US spokesman Maj Gen William Caldwell on Wednesday. |
| "They can move as rapidly thereafter as they want. I know, conceptually, they've talked about perhaps two divisions a month," Maj Gen Caldwell said. | "They can move as rapidly thereafter as they want. I know, conceptually, they've talked about perhaps two divisions a month," Maj Gen Caldwell said. |
| US-led forces disbanded what was left of the Iraqi army after they overthrew Saddam Hussein's rule in 2003. | US-led forces disbanded what was left of the Iraqi army after they overthrew Saddam Hussein's rule in 2003. |
| Since then, the coalition has been training and equipping new Iraqi forces with a view to their taking over security and allowing the eventual withdrawal of foreign forces from Iraq. | Since then, the coalition has been training and equipping new Iraqi forces with a view to their taking over security and allowing the eventual withdrawal of foreign forces from Iraq. |