Iraq

Suicide bomb kills 25 in Baghdad

Article published on the 2009-03-10 Latest update 2009-03-10 15:35 TU

The remains of a bomb attack in Baghdad, 1 March 2009.
(Photo: Reuters)

A suicide bomber blew himself up in a crowded marketplace in Baghdad, killing at least 25 people, as tribal leaders and military officers were visiting.

"At least 25 died including army officers and tribal chiefs, when a suicide bomber blew himself up while they toured a market in Abu Ghraib," 15 miles (25 kilometres) from the centre of Baghdad, an interior ministry official said.

The officers and tribal figures were visiting the market as part of efforts at national reconciliation.

"The suicide bomber targetted a tour of the tribal leaders under the command of Major General Mared Abdel Hassen and other officers in the market near the town hall," said Brigadier General Qassim Atta, spokesman for Baghdad army command operations.

Tuesday's carnage came after a suicide bomber on a bicycle killed 28 people and injured 56 outside a Baghdad police academy on Sunday, the bloodiest attack in weeks.

“They bear the hallmarks of al-Qaeda,” says correspondent Patrick Cockburn.

"There is a very high level of violence remaining in Iraq and not only between Sunni and Shia Arabs, but its also escalating between Arabs and Kurds in Northern Iraq”, Cockburn told RFI.

“Unfortunately, there is much biased media coverage. Iraqis say things are better in Iraq, and people get the impression that they’re good. But they’re only better compared to the blood bath we had previously," he said.

“The last couple of bombs we’ve had over the last few days emphasises that this place is still one of the most dangerous in the world.”