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Sadr City - Blast kills more than 75 at Market-Bomb

by albertacowpoke | June 25, 2009 at 04:19 am

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Wednesday a powerful bomb killed more than 75 people in a market in Sadr City, Baghdad's main Shiite neighborhood.

The resurgence of violence casts serious doubts on the readiness of Iraqi Security Forces to keep the insurgency in check. US forces are to withdraw from Iraqi cities to outposts within 30 days. At that point security is to be the sole raison d'etre of Iraqui Security Forces, with US forces only providing back up.

The bomb was concealed in a three wheel motorcycle under vegetables. Eyewitness said they heard a huge bang, with smoke filling the area.

The blast happened shortly after sundown in the Mredi bird market. The area was crowded in the scorching heat.

Iraq has almost become the forgotten war, with a major emphasis on Afghanistan and relocation of some 21,000 troops.

This is the second blast in less than a week.

BAGHDAD, June 24 -- A powerful bomb killed more than 75 people Wednesday night at a market in Sadr City, Baghdad's main Shiite neighborhood, casting doubt on the readiness of Iraq's security forces to keep a latent insurgency in check as U.S. troops pull out of the capital and other cities.

The blast, the second in Iraq in less than a week to kill more than 70 people, happened six days before the June 30 deadline for U.S. troops to retreat from urban outposts, the first of three withdrawal deadlines mandated under a security agreement.

The blast at the Mredi bird market occurred shortly after sundown, when the area was crowded with residents out shopping after the summer day's scorching heat had subsided.

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René

at 05:50 on June 25th, 2009

Things in Iraq might change radically if there's a regime change in Iran.

albertacowpoke

at 06:27 on June 25th, 2009

Rene, Iraq is not as simple as some may think. Regardless of how you look at it, the three ethnic groups remain. You don't erase all this hate by 7 years of occupation. I think we will see a lot more of this violence in the days and weeks to come.

politisite

at 07:25 on June 25th, 2009

Seems like since the Iran election there have been more bombings in Iraq. Wonder if Iran is supplying the materials again (or never stopped) Thanks for the report

albertacowpoke

at 07:51 on June 25th, 2009

That's a good point you make politisite. Where are the materials coming from?

ADL1989

at 10:03 on June 25th, 2009

we should have left them fight over themselves and just went after bin ladin. All the time we gave him to disapear he maybe in Texas living the good life.