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Iraq
Bombings in Iraq Kill at Least 31
2008-12-02
Bombing attacks targeting Iraqi security forces in Baghdad and a U.S. patrol the northern city of Mosul left at least 31 people dead and dozens more injured, Iraqi officials said, making Monday one of the deadliest days in recent weeks in Iraq.

In eastern Baghdad, a suicide bomber detonated his explosives belt at the back gate of a police academy about 1 p.m. Two minutes later another bomber exploded a booby-trapped car at the main entrance of a nearby government building, said Maj. Gen. Qassim Atta, the top spokesman for Iraqi military operations in Baghdad.

In a statement, the U.S. military said 15 police officers died and 35 officers and civilians were injured in the attack. Iraqi authorities said the blasts killed 11 people and injured 34.

When the blast occurred, students were leaving the academy after classes, said Lt. Ahmad Kadhim, a member of the SWAT team assigned to guard the academy. He said his men had left their posts to receive their salaries. "The bomber seized this opportunity, so it seems the suicide attack was organized," Kadhim said. "The bomber received information from inside the academy telling him that the SWAT team is not available."

In Mosul, a suicide bomber struck a U.S. military patrol, detonating his explosives about 9:40 a.m., the U.S. military said in a statement. Initial reports indicated that no U.S. soldiers were injured but that "the battle damage assessment may change." A hospital official in Mosul said the blast killed 15 people and wounded 25 others.

Although its influence has diminished in other parts of Iraq, the Sunni insurgency remains resilient in Mosul, staging bold attacks in recent months targeting not only U.S. and Iraqi forces but Christians and local journalists.
Posted by:Fred

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