Publish to Newswire
Add an EventFrom the Open-Publishing Calendar
From the Open-Publishing Newswire
Indybay Feature
Baghdad car bomb leaves '17 dead'
At least 17 Iraqis are reported killed in a suspected suicide bombing outside the US headquarters in central Baghdad.
The explosion occurred at about 0800 (0500GMT) outside a former palace of Saddam Hussein, which is now houses the Coalition Provisional Authority.
At that time of day, Iraqis who have business or are seeking work wait for meetings with the US authorities.
A number of cars outside the palace were set on fire, with eyewitnesses reporting three separate fires.
The US military are reported as saying that 17 Iraqis were killed by the blast, with more than two dozen others believed to be wounded.
According to one coalition spokesman, there are no confirmed US casualties.
"We believe it was a car bomb in the vicinity of Assassin's Gate," another spokesman said, referring to the heavily-fortified gate to the former presidential palace which now houses the US-run Coalition Provisional Authority.
"I was lining up for a job when a Land Cruiser and another one went off," said one man, Haidar Hanoun.
"It was very strong."
One Coalition military source was quoted as saying most of the dead were inside cars. "They didn't have a chance" in the face of a huge fireball, he said.
The two main bridges across the River Tigris have been closed.
The last big car bomb attack in Baghdad was on New Year's Eve, when five people were killed when a bomb exploded outside a busy restaurant in the city centre.
UN role
The blast comes a day after three US soldiers and two Iraqis were killed in a bomb attack on a patrol north of Baghdad.
Saturday's deaths took the number of American troops killed since the war began in Iraq in March last year to 500.
The US servicemen killed were taking part in a joint patrol with Iraqi civil defence staff looking for explosive devices, when a roadside bomb exploded at Taji, about 30 km (20 miles) from Baghdad.
Meanwhile as debate continues over the issue of how Iraq should be run in future, the US says it intends to ask the United Nations to back its plans for the transfer of power.
The US administrator Paul Bremer is to meet UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Monday in a drive to get the UN to return to Iraq.
He is also expected to seek UN help in convincing the Shia majority that US proposals for an unelected transitional government are the best way to meet a July deadline for a handover of sovereignty.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3407061.stm
At that time of day, Iraqis who have business or are seeking work wait for meetings with the US authorities.
A number of cars outside the palace were set on fire, with eyewitnesses reporting three separate fires.
The US military are reported as saying that 17 Iraqis were killed by the blast, with more than two dozen others believed to be wounded.
According to one coalition spokesman, there are no confirmed US casualties.
"We believe it was a car bomb in the vicinity of Assassin's Gate," another spokesman said, referring to the heavily-fortified gate to the former presidential palace which now houses the US-run Coalition Provisional Authority.
"I was lining up for a job when a Land Cruiser and another one went off," said one man, Haidar Hanoun.
"It was very strong."
One Coalition military source was quoted as saying most of the dead were inside cars. "They didn't have a chance" in the face of a huge fireball, he said.
The two main bridges across the River Tigris have been closed.
The last big car bomb attack in Baghdad was on New Year's Eve, when five people were killed when a bomb exploded outside a busy restaurant in the city centre.
UN role
The blast comes a day after three US soldiers and two Iraqis were killed in a bomb attack on a patrol north of Baghdad.
Saturday's deaths took the number of American troops killed since the war began in Iraq in March last year to 500.
The US servicemen killed were taking part in a joint patrol with Iraqi civil defence staff looking for explosive devices, when a roadside bomb exploded at Taji, about 30 km (20 miles) from Baghdad.
Meanwhile as debate continues over the issue of how Iraq should be run in future, the US says it intends to ask the United Nations to back its plans for the transfer of power.
The US administrator Paul Bremer is to meet UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Monday in a drive to get the UN to return to Iraq.
He is also expected to seek UN help in convincing the Shia majority that US proposals for an unelected transitional government are the best way to meet a July deadline for a handover of sovereignty.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3407061.stm
Add Your Comments
Latest Comments
Listed below are the latest comments about this post.
These comments are submitted anonymously by website visitors.
TITLE
AUTHOR
DATE
more ap pics
Sun, Jan 18, 2004 1:33PM
Kerry Skull & Bones/War Criminal/Pro War...
Sun, Jan 18, 2004 10:49AM
Daddy, Why Isnt My War Going Well?
Sat, Jan 17, 2004 11:16PM
the men behind the massacres
Sat, Jan 17, 2004 11:15PM
pic
Sat, Jan 17, 2004 11:14PM
We are 100% volunteer and depend on your participation to sustain our efforts!
Donate
$255.00 donated
in the past month
Get Involved
If you'd like to help with maintaining or developing the website, contact us.
Publish
Publish your stories and upcoming events on Indybay.
Topics
More
Search Indybay's Archives
Advanced Search
►
▼
IMC Network