Deadly car bombings hit Baghdad
A series of three car bombs in central Baghdad has killed at least four people and wounded about 14, Iraqi police say. The blasts occurred outside the heavily fortified Green Zone near the Iranian embassy, the foreign ministry, and a popular restaurant, reports say. There has been a recent upsurge of violence in the city. A week ago, at least 127 people were killed in multiple car bombings. Analysts say al-Qaeda is trying to destabilise Iraq ahead of March polls. Iraqi government figures have shown that violence generally has fallen over the past 18 months. DEADLIEST ATTACKS SINCE 2003 Aug 2007: More than 500 killed in attacks on villages near Sinjar Nov 2006: 202 killed in multiple blasts in Baghdad Apr 2007: 191 killed in car bombings in Baghdad Mar 2004: 171 killed in bombings in Baghdad and Karbala Oct 2009: 155 killed in twin truck bomb attacks in Baghdad Mar 2007: 152 killed in truck bombing in Talafar Source: News agencies, BBC In October, however, co-ordinated bomb attacks killed at least 155 people and wounded hundreds in Baghdad. There have been a number of attacks since then – including last week’s co-ordinated car bombings. Correspondents say that besides occasional massive bombings, insurgents also stage frequent smaller-scale attacks against targets such as marketplaces, mosques or schools. Security has been heightened ahead of March’s parliamentary elections.
