Blast in Baghdad's Sadr City Kills 7, Wounds 45
02 November 2006
Iraqi officials say a bomb blast in Baghdad's Sadr City has killed seven people and wounded 45 others.
Officials say a motorcycle rigged with explosives blew up Thursday in a market.
Earlier, insurgents shot dead the dean of Baghdad University's school of Economics and Administration as well as his wife and son. Gunmen also kidnapped two sports coaches for disabled athletes.
Other attacks around the capital killed at least three police officers. Northeast of Baghdad, in Diyala province, militants killed at least two police officers and a civilian.
Meanwhile, the U.S. military said it believes an American soldier abducted in Baghdad last week is still being held by his captors. Major General William Caldwell told reporters in Baghdad today there is what he called an "ongoing dialogue" aimed at freeing Ahmed Ausaid al-Taayie, 41.
Also Thursday, the U.S. military said a coalition air strike killed an influential local leader of the al-Qaida in Iraq militant group in the western town of Ramadi.
A military statement said a laser-guided bomb destroyed a car carrying Rafa Abdul Salam Hamud Al Ithawi and his driver on Wednesday, killing both men.
The statement says the militant, also known as Abu Taha, was the ruler of a self-proclaimed emirate in the Ramadi area. Militants loyal to Abu Taha declared the region independent last month in a parade through central Ramadi.
Since then, U.S.-led forces have been fighting to take back control of the city.
Separately, an American soldier was killed Wednesday when his vehicle struck a roadside bomb west of Baghdad. The soldier's death is the first reported fatality among American troops in Iraq this month.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
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