Fresh Wave of Sectarian Violence Grips Iraq, Car B
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Date: 10/16/2006 11:11:56 AM
Sender: By VOA News
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Fresh Wave of Sectarian Violence Grips Iraq, Car Bombs Kill 30
By VOA News
16 October 2006
Iraqis gather at the site where two roadside bombs exploded in central Baghdad killing one policeman and wounding eight others, including one civilian, October 16, 2006
Iraqi authorities say three separate car bombs have killed at least 30 people and wounded 32 others as a fresh wave of sectarian violence gripped the country.
Police say one major blast killed at least 10 when it struck near a bank in the town of Suwayra Monday, 50 kilometers from the capital. Suwayra has a mixed population of Sunnis and Shi＇ites and is frequently a target in attacks.
Officials say that later, at sunset, two separate car bombs exploded in Baghdad killing at least 20 and injuring 17.
The U.S. military says two Marines and five soldiers were killed on Sunday, bringing the total casualties of U.S. troops in Iraq since Friday to 12.
U.S. President George Bush, in a telephone call, assured Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki today that his democratically elected government has Washington＇s full support.
Mr. Bush told Mr. Maliki to "ignore" rumors that the U.S. was seeking to impose a timeline on the Iraqi government to improve the security situation.
In an interview published today in the American newspaper USA Today, Mr. Maliki says Iraqi militias must be disbanded, but adds that it will "take time." He says it could be "the end of this year or the beginning of next year" before that can take place.
The security situation in Baghdad has worsened since the Muslim holy month of Ramadan began three weeks ago. Officials have reported a spike in attacks across the capital since then.
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