Military

DATE=12/5/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IRAQ / ATTACK (L)

NUMBER=2-310553

BYLINE=ALISHA RYU

DATELINE=BAGHDAD

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: In Iraq, a powerful roadside bomb detonated in a crowded street in Baghdad Friday, killing one U-S soldier and at least two Iraqis. Many more Iraqi civilians were wounded in the blast. V-O-A Correspondent Alisha Ryu has details from Baghdad.

TEXT: The bomb exploded early Friday morning about 200 meters from a mosque in the New Baghdad district, southeast of the capital.

Most of the civilian casualties were aboard a minibus, which was near a three-vehicle U-S military convoy when the blast occurred. Blood covered the seats and the floor of the badly damaged bus.

A local shopkeeper, Basim Ibrahim, says he was standing outside his store when he saw the military convoy slowing down for a red light. He says a remotely detonated bomb suddenly ripped through one of the U-S Humvee vehicles and the mini bus.

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Mr. Ibrahim says the bomb hit the third Humvee in the convoy. He says the driver of the vehicle appeared to have been killed instantly.

The U-S military confirms that one soldier was killed in the incident.

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The explosion was so powerful, it blew out the windows of surrounding buildings and uprooted a tree. Many Iraqis, who were on their way to the al-Samarrai mosque for Friday prayers, expressed dismay at the latest violence. They say they do not understand why the insurgents are killing innocent civilians.

The attack came ahead of a visit here by U-S Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld on Friday. He was scheduled to meet U-S administrator Paul Bremer and other coalition officials.

Meanwhile, about 500 people staged an anti-terrorism rally in central Baghdad Friday. Participants carried banners denouncing violence and expressing support for the U-S-led coalition trying to rebuild Iraq. (SIGNED)

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