Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
95 killed in Baghdad bomb carnage
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Search
Search:
95 killed in Baghdad bomb carnage
AFP - Thursday, August 20
BAGHDAD (AFP) - - Twin truck bombs killed 95 people and wounded almost 600 on Wednesday as Baghdad suffered its bloodiest day in 18 months, prompting Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to call for a security review.
ADVERTISEMENT
The truck bombs exploded just minutes apart outside government ministries, while a car bombing and spate of mortar attacks added to the carnage in the capital, which has been under Iraqi security control since US troops pulled out of the conflict-torn country's urban areas at the end of June.
"The criminal operations that happened today no doubt call for a re-evaluation of our plans and our security methods to face the terrorist challenges," a statement from Maliki's office said.
An interior ministry official said 563 people were wounded in the truck bombs, one of which targeted the foreign ministry just outside the heavily fortified Green Zone.
"This was a calculated, deliberate attack on the restoration of normal life," Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari told AFP. "My assessment is it's an attack on the normalisation of life in Baghdad."
Zebari acknowledged that there had been "some serious, serious security breaches," and said that while he couldn't say who was behind the attack, its timing was "archetypal of Al-Qaeda."
The attack came on the sixth anniversary of a truck bombing on the UN compound in Baghdad that killed UN special envoy Sergio Vieira de Mello and 21 others.
Iraqis pointed the finger at their domestic security forces, which in turn blamed members of executed former dictator Saddam Hussein's regime.
"I was in my home with my family when the roof collapsed on us," said a man who gave his name only as Hamid and his age as 46.
"The government promised us security would return, but where is the security?" asked Hamid, who lives a few hundred metres (yards) from the foreign ministry compound.
The explosion sent plumes of smoke and dust into the air, leaving a crater three metres (10 feet) deep and 10 metres wide filled with the twisted wreckage of dozens of cars and several charred corpses.
The walls of the ministry compound were destroyed and its facade badly damaged, while cars were buckled and burnt for hundreds of metres. Blast walls surrounding the compound were removed two months ago.
Just minutes earlier, another truck bomb had exploded outside the finance ministry in north Baghdad, ripping through the building and also destroying part of a nearby bridge, ministry officials said.
The finance ministry said the refrigeration truck that exploded in what it said was a suicide attack had been carrying 1.5 tonnes of explosives and ball bearings "to cause maximum casualties."
It said 13 civil servants in the ministry building had died in the attack.
Major General Qassim Atta, the spokesman for the Iraqi Army's Baghdad operations, blamed an alliance of Baathists loyal to Saddam and religious extremists for the attacks.
He added that security forces had arrested two senior Al-Qaeda leaders in western Baghdad, and that a truck carrying one tonne of explosives had been intercepted near a hospital in the centre of the capital.
A car bomb meanwhile hit a market in western Baghdad, while two mortar bombs landed in the Green Zone -- an area of foreign embassies and government offices -- and one exploded outside, a security official said.
Environment Minister Narmin Othman Hasan told AFP that a mortar landed outside her house in the Green Zone, slightly damaging it.
The attacks -- shortly before Muslims are due to begin the holy fasting month of Ramadan later this week -- brought the city to a standstill as security forces fired off rounds into the air and closed roads, while ambulances struggled to make progress amid traffic jams.
It was the bloodiest day in Iraq since February 1, 2008, when bombs at Baghdad pet markets killed 98 people.
Recent attacks in the capital have appeared to target various ethnic groups in what is seen as a bid to reignite the sectarian violence which engulfed Iraq in 2006 and 2007.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon said he was "saddened" by Wednesday's "appalling" events, while the Swedish EU presidency condemned the "brutal attacks."
Turkish President Abdullah Gul, meanwhile, said Ankara was ready to extend assistance to its southeastern neighbour, and French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner pledged Paris's "full support" to Iraq.
Despite a reduction in violence across Iraq, attacks on security forces and civilians remain common in Baghdad, the restive northern city of Mosul and in the ethnically divided oil city of Kirkuk.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
Related Articles: World
AP NewsAlertAP - Thursday, August 20
ACT scores hold steady as test-taking pool expandsAP - Thursday, August 20
Man in Fla. plane crash mystery to be sentencedAP - Thursday, August 20
Gates Foundation seeks education's magic pillAP - Thursday, August 20
Baghdad blasts kill 95 on bloodiest day of the yearReuters - Thursday, August 20
Enlarge Photo
Twin truck bombs killed 95 people and wounded almost 600 on Wednesday as Baghdad suffered its bloodiest day in 18 months, prompting Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to call for a security review.
Most Popular – World
Viewed
UK UFO sightings spiked when blockbusters released
Canadian singer Celine Dion pregnant with second child
Egypt warns pharaohs' tombs could disappear
Sleep disorders linked to premature deaths: study
Michael Jackson's 51st birthday to be his burial day: father
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Thursday, 20 August 2009 95 killed in Baghdad bomb carnage
Crew of Arctic Sea arrive in Cape Verde
Web tools help protect human rights activists
Bodies and disbelief as security shattered in Baghdad
BoE chief call sparks doubt over Britain recovery
UBS to reveal 4,450 accounts, escapes fine in US tax deal
Greek pilots see red from laser pen pranks
Germany, Hungary mark anniversary of Iron Curtain breach
Iran's Ahmadinejad may face tough fight over cabinet
Nokia targets India with low-cost handsets: CEO
Scots say to rule on Lockerbie bomber on Thursday
| International
|
Twitter site offers followers line to God
Asustek aims to ship 1 million smartphones in 2010
Nigeria threatens to arrest bank debtors, seize assets
| International
|
Mexico hit by lowest rainfall in 68 years
| International
|
Israel slams Swedish tabloid's organ theft story
| International
|
Merkel hails Hungary demo that led to Wall's fall
| International
|
Nokia targets India with low-cost handsets: CEO
Sony launches cash-for-televisions scheme in Britain
Funeral home mix-up: Pa. family mourns wrong body
Milwaukee mayor says attack escalated quickly
A look at the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid
Top-mileage hybrid sedans are Fords
Government enlists employers' help to contain flu
Number of kids poisoned by lead in China rises
Thailand's swine flu death toll reaches 111
LaHood says car dealers will 'get their money'
At least 13 die in Pakistan bus crash
Pittsburgh mom says daughter bulled into anorexia
Koreas mourn death of SKorea's Kim Dae-jung
Web tools help protect human rights activists
| Technology
|
CA arsonist's relative accused of jury tampering
Md. police: Man nicknamed 'Hitler' beat black man
Diddy seeks new stars of Facebook generation
| Technology
|
Dump truck overturns, killing 25 Indonesians
Life expectancy in US up, deaths not, CDC says
Deaths, lung damage linked to nanoparticles in China
| Technology
|
3 militants die on eve of Afghan presidential vote
Coca-Cola, Pepsi on Beijing's worst polluter list
Indian party expels leader for book on Pakistan
US senator visits Vietnam at end of SE Asian tour
China promises aid to small businesses
Migrant children's risky trips to U.S. in new film
Cable's top programs for Aug. 10-16
Don Hewitt, creator of "60 Minutes," dead at 86
YouTube gets Time Warner's Adult Swim, "Gossip Girl"
Italian city bars Muslim 'burqini' swimsuit
Greyhound buses take to British roads
Diddy seeks new stars of Facebook generation
| Entertainment
|
Italians tiring of chasing elusive mega-jackpot
Don Hewitt, creator of 60 Minutes, dead at 86
| Entertainment
|
British exhibition marks 70th anniversary of WWII outbreak
Fat Duck restaurant on top again after food scare
Britain bans Japanese horror film
YouTube signs deal to feature Time Warner cable shows
| Entertainment
|
Migrant children's risky trips to U.S. in new film
| Entertainment
|
News
News
News
News
News
Afghanistan votes for president
Sporadic attacks across Afghanistan as polls open
| International
|
Two arrested over biggest gem robbery: police
Google helps advertisers predict hot search topics
Polls open for landmark Afghan elections
'Alive' plane crash survivors call for organ donors
Death toll climbs in Russian dam accident
Merkel still world's most powerful woman: Forbes
Deaths, lung damage linked to nanoparticles in China
Arctic Sea crew, hijack suspects board plane for Moscow
It's nuts! Squirrel becomes a Web sensation
Iraq forces admit lapses after blasts kill 95
North Korea to send mourners to South, signals softening
| International
|
Pirate Party swashbuckles into Finnish politics
North, south Sudan agree on implementing peace deal
Norway diplomat blasts absent U.N. chief: report
| International
|
Iran's Ahmadinejad may face battle over cabinet
Wave of Baghdad blasts kills at least 95
Taiwan approves $2.9 billion for typhoon reconstruction
| International
|
Syria's Assad condemns foreign meddling in Iran
Iran's Ahmadinejad to address nation on cabinet
| International
|
Baghdad blasts kill 95 as Iraqi security criticised
Australia soothes China on separatists
| International
|
Iran's Khamenei praises Syria's 'resistance'
Sony launches cash-for-televisions scheme in Britain
North, south Sudan agree on implementing peace deal
| International
|
Japan opposition could win by a landslide: media
| International
|
Scotland rules on Lockerbie bomber on Thursday
| International
|
Obama makes moral case for health reform
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,332
Rep. Frank lashes out at protester for Nazi remark
Excerpts from air traffic conversations
1,000 on strike at Vietnam shoe firm: company
MySpace to buy Web music service iLike
| Technology
|
Text of Sen. Ensign's interview with the AP
'Trust deficit' bedevils prickly China-India ties
Detroit boy, 12, faces life murder charge in death
CORRECTED
Next space shuttle launch set for next week
Judge stands by closing ahead of death-row appeal
Under-fire Taiwan cabinet to submit typhoon budget
Ex-Syrian soldier pleads innocent to arms dealing
North Korea to send mourners to South
US man says no regrets about Myanmar jailing
North Korea sending "good" signals, Richardson says
Pakistan seeks lawyers to defend al Qaeda suspect
NKorea wants direct talks with US: Richardson
Tokyo chief hopes he is swimming towards Olympic gold
Tom Sherak excited to be president of film academy
Seoul shares up 0.5 pct on banks, energy stocks
S.Korean bonds climb on U.S. lead, supply fall
Seoul shares open up as techs continue advance
VW targets sales of 100,000 cars in India by 2014
Price-fixing charges filed against former Taiwan executive
Sale of Warhol's Jacko portrait 'not so hot'
Tom Sherak excited to be president of film academy
Special effects go wild in kids' fantasy "Shorts"
Black Eyed Peas, Jason Mraz smash chart records
Mexico dancers prepare Thriller record bid
Food critic pens book about relationship with food
Jay Leno says new comedy show is "a lot more work"
Miss Universe ticket sales slow, forcing deals
Daughtry announces arena tour dates
Jay Leno says new comedy show is a lot more work
| Entertainment
|
Capsule reviews: `Inglourious Basterds,' others
Jackson Brothers reality series a go at A&E
| Entertainment
|
Black Eyed Peas, Jason Mraz smash chart records
| Entertainment
|
Lad rock kings Kasabian reject Oasis tag
| Entertainment
|
Special effects go wild in kids' fantasy Shorts
| Entertainment
|
Oprah and Dr Oz sue over alleged false endorsements
| Entertainment
|
Strait dethrones Jackson on album chart
| Entertainment
|
Iran lawmakers warn of clash over new government
Bollywood looks to call the tune on music downloads
Arctic Sea crew, suspected hijackers back in Moscow
Arctic Sea crew, suspected hijackers land in Moscow
China defence ministry launches website
Israeli scientists find way to combat forged DNA
Lockerbie bomber freed to return to Libya to die
| International
|
Wikipedia launches iPhone application
Iraqi fear, anger that bombings were not prevented
| International
|
Libya sees Swiss apology for arrest of Gaddafi son
| International
|
Proud, defiant Afghans trickle to polling booths
French police finds suspected ETA arms cache
| International
|
Arctic Sea hijackers questioned in Russian jail
| International
|
Pakistani Taliban deputy chief says takes command
| International
|
Gamers face real weather in new sports simulations
| Technology
|
New technology key to gaming sector in downturn
| Technology
|
Australia targets 20% renewable energy by 2020
China launches defense website in transparency bid
| Technology
|
Lead poisoning scare spreads to central China
MySpace to buy Web music service iLike
| Technology
|
Obama to go on right-leaning radio show
U.S. grants $1.2 billion for electronic health records
| Technology
|
Body of SKorea's Kim moved into place for funeral
N.Korea holds US talks, plans to send team to S.Korea
Defiant Afghans vote despite violence
Evidence hearing scheduled in Fla. double killing
N.Korea holds US talks, eases border restrictions
Signs grow that Lockerbie bomber to be freed
Taiwan earmarks $3B storm reconstruction budget
Lawsuit: woman claims assault by David Copperfield
Khmer Rouge verdict expected in early 2010
China says 1,300 sick in new lead poisoning case
Rifts as Pakistan Taliban deputy claims leadership
Ex-reporter Jayson Blair now working as life coach
Jokes about barbecuing a cat preceded midair crash
CIA hired Blackwater for assassin program: reports
EU nations to take Guantanamo detainees: report
Taiwan dollar up on exporters, China stocks
South Korea to boost monitoring of housing market
Seoul shares gain 2 pct helped by banks, carmakers =2
China approves Tianwan nuclear plant expansion
Japan recovery prospects unsure: BoJ board member
China Mobile reports half-year profit up 1.5%
Seoul shares gain 2 pct helped by banks, carmakers
South Korea asks banks to pay back foreign debt
Philippines economy 'shrank' in Q2: report
New Zealand shows signs of growth in Q2
Hitler watercolours under the hammer in Germany
India Art Summit opens, minus most acclaimed painter
Comic artists defy Tehran with 'Persepolis 2.0'
Woman sues David Copperfield for sexual assault
East Coast rocker-scientists swap labs for stage
Bollywood to pay video tribute to Michael Jackson
Shell-shocked Gaza children flock to martial arts
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Jackson Brothers reality series a go at A&E
3-D version of "Yellow Submarine" on the way: report
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights