IRAQ: Car bombs hit Baghdad despite increased security in Iraq

Record ID: 353499

  • Title: IRAQ: Car bombs hit Baghdad despite increased security in Iraq
  • Date: 14th February 2007
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic), DAWOOD, SHI'ITE, SAYING: "We are very optimistic about the new security plan. God willing, especially that all the Iraqi people are optimistic because this is our last chance and if it fails all our hopes would be dashed."
  • Embargoed: 1st March 2007 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Iraq
  • Country: Iraq
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement
  • Reuters ID: LVA1M2HW636GWDB3ZW337K5JCI6X
  • Story Text: A car bomb explodes in Eastern Baghdad killing at least four after an earlier explosion at a vegetable market which killed at least two. The attacks came after the Iraqi government announced increased security measures at it's borders with Syria and Iran in an attempt to curb continuing insurgent violence.

    A car bomb exploded next to civilians in crowded Shi'ite area in eastern Baghdad on Wednesday (February 14), killing four civilians and wounding ten others, police said.
    The attack took place in the al-Amana district of eastern Baghdad.
    "We condemn this terrorist act and call on the government to provide us with security. We asked the government to put an end to such acts," said an eye-witness Ali Essam.
    Earlier, a car bomb exploded in a mainly Shi'ite neighbourhood of al-Bayaa in southern Baghdad, killing two civilians and wounding seven more, police said.
    New security measures were on Wednesday put in place in Baghdad in an effort to win back control of the city's streets. Iraqi security forces manned checkpoints and searched cars on the streets of the capital.
    Iraq on Tuesday (February 13) unveiled emergency measures aimed at curbing unrelenting violence in Baghdad, including plans to close its borders with Iran and Syria as well as imposing longer curfews and other restrictions.
    Speaking on Iraqiya state television, the official in charge of the crackdown, Lieutenant-General Abboud Qanbar, said the borders with Iran and Syria would be shut for 72 hours.
    "We have decided the following: First, the closure of the two border points with Syria, Al-Waleed and Rabe'a and four border points with Iran, namely Shalamcha, Zurbatiya, Haj Omran and Beshmagh. The border points will be shut for 72 hours," Qanbar said.
    Qanbar said other measures included confiscating illegal weapons and explosives, imposing restrictions on the movement of vehicles and individuals and setting up checkpoints in the city.
    Meanwhile, Iraqis voiced optimism that the new plan would help curb increasing violence.
    "We are very optimistic about the new security plan. God willing, especially that all the Iraqi people are optimistic because this is our last chance and if it fails all our hopes would be dashed," said Dawood, a Shi'ite.
    U.S. officials and Sunni Arab leaders have accused the Shi'ite-controlled interior ministry, which oversees the police, of being infiltrated with Shi'ite militias who roam the city in unmarked vehicles and wear police-style uniforms.
    The new measures are on top of emergency powers already granted to Maliki by parliament.
    mv/jrc
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