Baghdad: A wave of car bombs struck mainly in Shiite neighbourhoods of Baghdad today morning, killing at least 51 people and wounding dozens more, officials said, the latest in relentless violence roiling Iraq in recent months.
The country's Interior Ministry blamed al-Qaeda-linked insurgents, saying they are exploiting the political infighting and security shortcomings to stage attacks.
The deadliest of the day's bombings was in the eastern Sadr City district, where a parked car bomb tore through a small vegetable market and its parking lot, killing seven people and wounding 16, a police officer said.
That was followed by a total of 10 parked car bombs, which went off in quick sequence in the Shiite neighbourhoods of New Baghdad, Habibiya, Sabaa al-Bour, Kazimiyah, Shaab, Ur, Shula as well as the Sunni neighbourhoods of Jamiaa and Ghazaliyah.The 10 other explosions also struck at outdoor markets or parking lots, killing 44 people and wounding 139, according to other police officers.
