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7 Bombs Batter Baghdad; 95 Dead, 500 Wounded

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 19, 2009 11:54 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Scores of people are dead after seven coordinated bombings rocked Baghdad this morning, targeting both government ministries and poor Shia neighborhoods, the New York Times  reports. Two huge bombs and three smaller blasts, probably from mortars, went off at the entrance to the fortified Green Zone, while other explosions hit the slum area of Sadr City. At least 95 people were reported killed and more than 500 injured.

The blasts targeted some of the city's most heavily fortified areas, including the parliament,  four ministries, and a hotel popular with foreigners. Hardest hit were the Foreign Ministry, where at least 47 were killed, and Finance Ministry, 28. Authorities suspect Sunni militant groups are behind the attacks. “The whole thing is just so disgusting,” US ambassador Christopher R. Hill, told the Times. “They’re just psychopathic.” American troops who witnessed the attacks were helpless; they've been banned from street patrols since June.

Smoke rises over central Baghdad, where a series of large explosions has left 100 dead.
Smoke rises over central Baghdad, where a series of large explosions has left 100 dead.   (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)
Fire fighters respond after a massive bomb attack at the Iraqi Foreign Ministry in Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009.
Fire fighters respond after a massive bomb attack at the Iraqi Foreign Ministry in Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009.   (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)
Fire fighters respond as smoke billows over the Iraqi Foreign Ministry, center, after a massive bomb attack in Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009.
Fire fighters respond as smoke billows over the Iraqi Foreign Ministry, center, after a massive bomb attack in Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009.   (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)
Iraqi security forces inspect a creator caused by a massive bomb attack on the Foreign Ministry, in Baghdad, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009.
Iraqi security forces inspect a creator caused by a massive bomb attack on the Foreign Ministry, in Baghdad, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009.   (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)
Smoke billows near the Iraqi Foreign Ministry after a massive bomb attack in Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009.
Smoke billows near the Iraqi Foreign Ministry after a massive bomb attack in Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009.   (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)
A man flees the Iraqi Foreign Ministry building after a massive bomb attack in Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009.
A man flees the Iraqi Foreign Ministry building after a massive bomb attack in Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009.   (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)
Iraqi policemen and civilians stand in wreckage after a car bomb explosion near the Finance Ministry in northern Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009. A series of deadly explosions targeting government and commercial buildings struck Baghdad Wednesday, killing scores of people and wounding many more Iraqi police and medical officials...
Iraqi policemen and civilians stand in wreckage after a car bomb explosion near the Finance Ministry in northern Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009. A series of deadly explosions targeting government...   (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
Men stand near destroyed vehicles after a car bomb explosion near the Finance Ministry in northern Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009. A series of deadly explosions targeting government and commercial buildings struck Baghdad Wednesday, killing scores of people and wounding many more Iraqi police and medical officials said.
Men stand near destroyed vehicles after a car bomb explosion near the Finance Ministry in northern Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009. A series of deadly explosions targeting government and commercial...   (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
A man flees the Iraqi Foreign Ministry building after a massive bomb attack in Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009. A series of deadly explosions targeting government and commercial buildings struck Baghdad Wednesday, killing scores and wounding more than 300, Iraqi police and medical officials said.
A man flees the Iraqi Foreign Ministry building after a massive bomb attack in Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009. A series of deadly explosions targeting government and commercial buildings struck...   (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)
At least seven explosions have struck Baghdad, including several near the Green Zone.
At least seven explosions have struck Baghdad, including several near the Green Zone.   (AP Photo/APTN)
Iraqi officials investigate damage inside the parliament building following the explosion.
Iraqi officials investigate damage inside the parliament building following the explosion.   (AP Photo/APTN)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 12 comments
emptycalm
Aug 20, 2009 1:22 AM CDT
Yes. There only seem to be a few of us left sadly. The complacent masses only cared about iraq because it was the media's main focus. Most people don't understand the situation in Afghanistan at all so they just ignore it.
emptycalm
Aug 20, 2009 1:19 AM CDT
That is not a good enough reason to stay. This isn't germany. We're not taking out an army occupying a bunch of fields by small towns. They are in with the people in every populated area. Bombing the crap out of them will not work. We would have to be there until the last "terrorist" is gone and I'm sure yr smart enough to know that would never happen. This is bad but would happen if we left now or 25 years from now.
Fondue
Aug 19, 2009 8:31 AM CDT
Genocide.

 
Iraq • terrorism • Sadr City • Baghdad • Green Zone • bomb • Sunni extremism • explosion

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