Fear Returns to Baghdad

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»

Shiites, Muqtada al-Sadr's office targeted

(NEWSER) - Bombs exploded throughout Baghdad today, targeting Shiite mosques and neighborhoods, including the office of anti-US cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. A neighborhood in Anbar province was also hit with six roadside bombs. At least 61 people have been killed and nearly 112 wounded, CNN reports. More»

(AP) - Four US soldiers were killed in combat shortly before the American military completed a withdrawal from Iraq's cities last night. But prime minister Nouri al-Maliki assured Iraqis in a televised address today that government forces are in control: "Those who think that Iraqis are not able to protect their country and that the withdrawal of foreign forces will create a security vacuum are committing a big mistake." More»

All target Shiite areas as violence rises

(NEWSER) - Six car bombs rattled predominantly Shiite areas of Baghdad within four hours today, killing 48 and injuring 81. The three bloodiest explosions went off in quick succession in Sadr City, a dense Shiite neighborhood, CNN reports. The bombings were similar to seven coordinated attacks earlier this month, which the US says were orchestrated by al-Qaeda in Iraq. More»

Pair of attacks are part of recent spate

(NEWSER) - A suicide bombing in Baghdad today killed at least 28 people and wounded 50 as police handed out relief packages, the Guardian reports. At least five children and 13 police officers were killed in the attack, police said. Meanwhile, an attack in northeast Iraq killed 45, the BBC reports. Attacks have surged in recent weeks, the AP notes; a US defense official said he expected attacks to increase as American troops leave the country. More»