Friday, 18 February 2005Bomber Targets Shi'ite Mosque in Baghdad By VOA News
Reports from Iraq say an explosion has ripped through a crowd of worshippers at a mosque in Baghdad, causing dozens of casualties.
Initial reports from the scene say the blast killed at least 13 people and wounded more than 20 others. One account says the explosion was caused by a suicide bomber wearing a belt of explosives.
Friday's blast comes on the eve of the holiest day in the Shi'ite Muslim calendar, Ashoura - which marks the death of the prophet Muhammad's grandson, Imam Hussein, in the 7th century. The explosion occurred in the Dora neighborhood of southern Baghdad, near al-Khadimain the main Shi'ite mosque in the capital.
The Iraqi government has closed its land borders as part of stepped-up security for Ashoura. Last year, suicide bombers killed at least 170 worshippers on the holy day at religious shrines in Baghdad and Karbala.
Border crossings are to remain closed until Tuesday, except for trucks carrying food or oil.
In Karbala today, authorities said they have found the bodies of two police officers, both sons of the chief of police in Najaf, another Shi'ite shrine city.
VOA News |
Friday, 18 February 2005
Iraq
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