Iraqi Suicide Blasts Kill 50

Heightens fears that attacks will increase now that US has withdrawn

(AP) - A wave of bombings targeting Shiites in Iraq killed 72 people today, deepening sectarian tensions that exploded just after the last American troops left the country in mid-December. The bombings began early in the morning when explosions struck two Shiite neighborhoods in Baghdad, killing at least 27 people. A few hours later, a suicide attack hit Shiite pilgrims heading to the holy Shiite city of Karbala, killing 45; those explosions took place about 200 miles southeast of Baghdad. More»

Leader of Sunni Awakening killed in separate suicide attack

(NEWSER) - Five American troops are dead after a suicide bomber struck today in the Mansour district of Baghdad, the BBC reports. The soldiers were patrolling a busy shopping center when a young man wearing an explosive vest engaged them in conversation shortly before detonating, said a military spokesman. Three other service members and an Iraqi interpreter were wounded in the blast. More»

'List of targets has no end,' terrorists warn

(NEWSER) - An al-Qaeda affiliated group has claimed responsibility for the bombs that killed 127 people in Baghdad this week, and warned that many more attacks are on the way. A statement from the group said the coordinated suicide car bombings targeted the "bastions of evil and dens of apostates," AP reports. The group said it's determined to uproot the Iraqi government. More»

Blast at Shia mosque occurs hours after PM's warning

(NEWSER) - At least 50 people were killed in Iraq today when a truck bomb detonated near a crowd of worshipers leaving a Shiite mosque near Kirkuk, Reuters reports. The bombing occurred only hours after Nouri al-Maliki warned the country that terrorist violence may increase as the planned June 30 withdrawal of US troops approaches. The blast wounded about 175 civilians and destroyed many nearby homes. More»

(NEWSER) - The recent spate of violence in Iraq may pale in comparison to the relentless suicide bombings of 2006, but Baghdad is beginning to hunker down in fear again, the Los Angeles Times reports. Residents are curtailing their public activities, checking in with each other more often to make sure family members are okay, and worrying about the imminent withdrawal of US troops. More»