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56 Killed in Blasts Across Iraq

Dozens wounded; explosions end weeks of relative peace

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 15, 2011 6:15 AM CDT

(Newser) – Bombs struck more than a dozen Iraqi cities this morning, killing 56 and wounding dozens more. The coordinated explosions mark the first major violence in a comparatively peaceful month of Ramadan, the AP notes; the violence comes as as officials debate whether to maintain a US presence in the country beyond the end of the year.

In the most devastating attack, a pair of marketplace explosions in the southern city of Kut killed 35 and wounded 64, say observers. Seven different explosions hit the province of Diyala, killing 10. Meanwhile, an insurgent drove an explosives-laden car into a checkpoint near the southern city of Najaf, where four were killed and 32 injured. No one has yet claimed responsibility.

An Iraqi man inspects damages at the Mar Afram Syriac Orthodox Church following an explosion in the northern city of Kirkuk on August 15, 2011.
An Iraqi man inspects damages at the Mar Afram Syriac Orthodox Church following an explosion in the northern city of Kirkuk on August 15, 2011.   (Getty Images)
Iraqi police and a working dog inspect the site of a bombing that destroyed a church in Kirkuk, Iraq, Monday, Aug. 15, 2011.
Iraqi police and a working dog inspect the site of a bombing that destroyed a church in Kirkuk, Iraq, Monday, Aug. 15, 2011.   (AP Photo/Emad Matti)
Iraqis inspect the site of a bombing in Kirkuk, Iraq, Monday, Aug. 15, 2011.
Iraqis inspect the site of a bombing in Kirkuk, Iraq, Monday, Aug. 15, 2011.   (AP Photo/Emad Matti)
Iraqi security forces inspect damages at the site of an explosion in the northern city of Kirkuk on August 15, 2011.
Iraqi security forces inspect damages at the site of an explosion in the northern city of Kirkuk on August 15, 2011.   (Getty Images)
Iraqis inspect the site of a bombing in Kirkuk, Iraq, Monday, Aug. 15, 2011.
Iraqis inspect the site of a bombing in Kirkuk, Iraq, Monday, Aug. 15, 2011.   (AP Photo/Emad Matti)
Iraqis inspect damages following twin bomb blasts in the southern city of Kut on August 15, 2011.
Iraqis inspect damages following twin bomb blasts in the southern city of Kut on August 15, 2011.   (Getty Images)
Iraqi security forces inspect damages following twin bomb blasts in the southern city of Kut on August 15, 2011.
Iraqi security forces inspect damages following twin bomb blasts in the southern city of Kut on August 15, 2011.   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
Jingo
Aug 15, 2011 8:24 AM CDT
"The insurgency is in its last throes"--Richard Cheney
Chitrix
Aug 15, 2011 7:26 AM CDT
HEY GW!!!!! Its a good thing you ordered the death of Sadam and straightened out that tiny country Things are really looking up now huh??????????????????????

 
Iraq • Diyala • suicide bombing • Najaf • car bomb • Tikrit • Iraq violence • Ramadan • Kirkuk • Iraq war • Iraq suicide bombing • bombings • Kut

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