Iraq reels from deadly attacks

  • 11 years ago
Burnt out shells of cars belie the Tuesday morning calm in Habibiya, east of the Iraqi capital Baghdad.

Blood mixed with glass and debris stains the street of what was a car market near the Shi'ite district of Sadr City.

Ten people died and 12 others were injured when a blast ripped through the market Monday.

It was a deadly day across the country, which is gearing up for provincial elections Saturday.

At least 33 are dead after several car bombs and blasts, including two at a checkpoint outside Baghdad's international airport.

North of the capital in Tuz Khurmato, four bombs targeting police patrols killed five people and wounded 67, officials said.

No one has claimed responsibility but al Qaeda's local wing has stepped up a campaign targeting Shi'ites to stoke sectarian confrontation.

Saturday's vote for provincial councils is an important test for Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's government before parliamentary elections next year.

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