Suicide Bombing in Baghdad Mosque Kills 10
16 June 2006
A suicide bomber has killed 10 people and wounded more than 20 others at a Shi'ite mosque in Baghdad - despite a massive security crackdown in the Iraqi capital.
The Imam of the Buratha mosque said the bomber detonated explosives in his shoes, as worshippers gathered for Friday prayers. The imam said he believed he was the target of the blast, which he blamed on al-Qaida in Iraq. The same mosque was hit on April 7 with a triple suicide bombing that killed more than 80 people.
In a separate incident Friday, a mortar barrage slammed into a commercial area of northern Baghdad, killing two people and wounding 16 others.
Tens of thousands of Iraqi and U.S.-led coalition troops are taking part in the security clampdown in Baghdad. The operation began Wednesday, and includes a vehicle ban during Friday prayers to prevent car bombings.
In the past, the al-Qaida in Iraq terrorist group has carried out bomb attacks during religious observances.
On Thursday, Iraq's foreign minister told the United Nations Security Council that the elimination of terrorist leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and the formation of a new unity government in Baghdad have created a sense of momentum in Iraq. Hoshyar Zebari said security remains Iraq's top priority and is crucial to national reconciliation and self-sufficiency.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
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