Add Your Photos and Video to This Story

42 killed in Iraq violence

by Rob Peters | March 11, 2008 at 12:36 pm | 262 views | 2 comments

UPDATE: The AP is now reporting 42 civilians dead and calling it the deadliest day for U.S. troops in six months.

BAGHDAD (AP) — Violence killed at least 42 people Tuesday, including 16 bus passengers caught in a roadside bombing in southern Iraq, after the deadliest day for U.S. troops in precisely six months.

The U.S. military announced that three American soldiers were killed in a roadside bombing north of Baghdad on Monday, bringing to eight the number of troops who died that day. The last time so many U.S. military personnel were killed in Iraq was Sept. 10, when 10 died.

___________________

More deadly violence in Iraq in two separate incidents. The exact number of people killed does not appear to be known, with different wires reporting different numbers. The latest update puts the count at 39.

BAGHDAD, March 11, 2008 (AFP) — At least 39 people were killed across Iraq on Tuesday, including 16 in a bomb attack against a bus on Tuesday as US and Iraqi officials began talks on the future US military presence in the country.

The day's biggest attack was against a passenger bus travelling from the southern port city of Basra to Nasiriyah when it was struck by a bomb, some 430 kilometers (265 miles) south of Baghdad, Nasiriyah police Lieutenant Colonel Ali Siwan said.

At least 16 people were killed and 22 wounded, he said.

Elsewhere in Iraq, 22 people were killed, including eight when a suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden car against a checkpoint manned by Iraqi soldiers and members of a local group fighting Al-Qaeda in Iraq, police said.

The attack took place in Dhuluiya, 70 kilometres (45 miles) from the capital in Salaheddin province, at around 3:15 pm (1215 GMT), local police Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed Khalid told AFP.