Car bomb strikes eastern Baghdad

13/12/2006| IslamWeb

A car bomb has exploded in an eastern suburb of Baghdad, killing 10 people and injuring at least 25.

The attack comes after a day of bloodshed in the capital in which at least 70 died in a city centre bombing.

The latest attack occurred in the suburb of Kamaliya, a predominantly Shia area of the capital.

The city is now widely seen to be in the grip of sectarian violence. Last month was among the bloodiest since the US invaded in 2003.

According to an official, the bomb exploded close to a mosque in an area often crowded in the morning with commuters and day laborers looking for work.

Many Iraqis now avoid crowded places as these are increasingly targeted by bombers, who have also been know to draw in crowds with false offers of employment. But correspondents say the need for work means many are prepared to take the risk.

Tuesday's bombing occurred in the suburb of Sadr City when it was similarly crowded with poor Shias looking for a day's labor.

In November, the same suburb saw the most vicious attack since the war. More than 200 people died in a string of bombings in the area.

'No changes yet'

The escalating violence of recent weeks has increased the pressure on Washington to provide a new blueprint for the future of the country.

Last week, a long-awaited government-commissioned report on US policy in Iraq called for urgent action to stop "a slide towards chaos", and put forward 79 recommendations.

President George W Bush has acknowledged the need for a new approach but so far he has been skeptical of the central suggestions - notably the recommendation that Iran and Syria be brought into the debate.

On Tuesday, the White House said he would not announce any changes to his Iraq policy until the New Year. It had been thought he would make a speech before Christmas.

Photo Caption

Mourners carry a coffin