Iraqi security forces survey the scene of a bomb explosion in the southern Iraqi port city of Basra. - AFP Photo
One of the most quiet areas of all of Iraq shook yesterday when multiple bombings took place in Basra, Iraq - the southern sector of the country. At least three bombs went off that ended up killing at least 19 people.
From the report at DAWN:
Three bombs exploded on Thursday in the south Iraq port city of Basra, killing 19 people, including high-ranking army and police officers, and wounding at least 65, security and medical officials said.
A roadside bomb and a motorcycle bomb exploded simultaneously at about 6:40 pm (1540 GMT) in a market in central Basra, an interior ministry official said.
Following a common pattern in Iraq, a third roadside bomb went off as people gathered at the scene, according to the official, who put toll at 19 killed and 67 wounded.
An army brigade commander and a high-ranking police officer were among the dead, while police and soldiers were also wounded in the blasts, the official said.
Although Basra was one of the least infiltrated areas by al Qaeda in Iraq during the years of the Iraq War and in fact, the southern area was more affected by Iranian backed Hezbollah Brigades, this attack bears the trademark of al Qaeda. The fact that the third bomb went off killing the majority of people after they gathered to help the first victims proves this was al Qaeda - that is by far the best identifier of al Qaeda.
The fact that al Qaeda is back causing chaos in Basra has to be concerning to a LOT of Iraqis and Americans who fear this country slipping back into a war.
Nineteen killed in south Iraq bombings: officials
BASRA: Three bombs exploded on Thursday in the south Iraq port city of Basra, killing 19 people, including high-ranking army and police officers, and wounding at least 65, security and medical officials said.
A roadside bomb and a motorcycle bomb exploded simultaneously at about 6:40 pm (1540 GMT) in a market in central Basra, an interior ministry official said.
Following a common pattern in Iraq, a third roadside bomb went off as people gathered at the scene, according to the official, who put toll at 19 killed and 67 wounded.
An army brigade commander and a high-ranking police officer were among the dead, while police and soldiers were also wounded in the blasts, the official said.
Riyadh Abdelamir, the head of the Basra health directorate, said that 19 people were killed and 65 wounded in the blasts.
Army and police deployed in force following the blasts, cordoning off the market, an AFP correspondent said.
It was the deadliest day in Iraq since October 27, when two roadside bombs in Baghdad’s Urr neighbourhood killed at least 32 people and wounded 71 others.
On November 2, three motorbike bombings in Basra killed at least nine people and wounded at least 37.
Violence has declined nationwide since its peak in 2006 and 2007, but attacks remain common. A total of 258 people were killed in October, according to official figures.
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