98 Dead in Baghdad Bombings

Twin bombs ripped apart two busy pet markets in Baghdad this morning, killing at least 98 people and injuring more than 200. Two women initially identified as suicide bombers were actually mentally disabled women wearing explosive belts that were blown up by remote control, CNN reports. "By targeting innocent Iraqis, they show their true demonic character," a spokesman for the US military spokesman said of Al-Qaeda in Iraq.

The bombs struck the central al-Gahzr animal market and a bird market shortly before the weekly call to prayer. Today's death toll is believed to be the highest in Baghdad since the US troop surge helped return a fragile calm to much of the city. "We have a disaster here," said an official at a Baghdad hospital. "There are too many bodies to count." (More Baghdad stories.)