At least 45 killed in new Baghdad violence; scores wounded (Roundup)

Feb 25, 2007, 14:43 GMT

An Iraqi policeman and civilian inspect destroyed cars at the site of car bomb explosion at Karada district in Baghdad on Sunday, 25 February, 2007. Dozens were killed across Baghdad, Sunday, in a new series of violence that surged through the capital, despite the authorities efforts to spread calm. EPA/ALI ABBAS

Baghdad - At least 45 persons were killed in new attacks in Baghdad on Sunday, including a bomb blast in front of the Iranian embassy, a day after 37 persons were killed in a bomb attack on a Sunni mosque west of the capital.

The latest violence comes in the face of claims by Iraqi authorities that a new beefed-up security operation was yielding results.

Near al-Mustansiriyah university, a suicide attacker detonated an explosive belt, killing at least 40 people and wounding 70 - mostly students, according to the latest death toll provided by hospital sources.

Army and security forces rushed to the scene, located near the gate of the College of Trade and Economics, and then sealed off the university campus, according to eyewitnesses.

'It's a hideous crime,' said an Education Ministry official who declined to be identified. The official added that the reported death toll is not final since the victims have been moved to several hospitals around the area.

In another incident, two people were killed and four were wounded when an explosives-laden bus detonated in a parking lot in front of the Iranian embassy in central Baghdad, witnesses said.

According to the witnesses, the bomb went off when a small bus was parked in the Salihiya area, near Jomhouriya bridge where the embassy is located.

Police cordoned off the area and ambulances were seen rushing to the scene.

In a busy market in Abu Desheir district, southern Baghdad, three more people were killed and five were 'seriously' wounded when the market was struck by mortar shells.

In another incident, a car bomb exploded in a commercial street in the Karada district, central Baghdad. However, no further details were yet disclosed by the police.

Eyewitnesses, however, said that several persons may have been killed and that black smoke was rising over the area. Paramedics were also seen rushing to the scene.

Meanwhile, police sources said that at least 19 militants were killed and 98 terror suspects were rounded up during the last 24 hours in raids across Baghdad suburbs, as part of the Fardh al-Qanoon operations.

Earlier Sunday, Iraqi police sources had also said that the death toll stood at 37 after an attack on a Sunni mosque west of Baghdad.

Another 64 people were wounded in the apparent truck bombing Saturday outside a mosque in Habbaniyah, about 65 kilometres west of the capital, Iraqi media reported, citing police.

A school, a police station and a popular marketplace were all near the mosque, which was struck as worshippers left the building. US military sources in Iraq described it as a suicide attack.

The attack came hours after Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Saturday had praised the results of a newly implemented security strategy, in which he claimed that Iraqi and coalition forces have killed 400 terrorists and detained more than 400 others.

'Baghdad will not be a sanctuary for the outlaws,' said al-Maliki during a press conference on Saturday. He added: 'The results (of the new plan) are positive, several terrorist cells were dismantled.'

Al-Maliki also said that politicians are not allowed to interfere in the security issues.

Hameed Moussa, head of the Iraqi Communist Party, also described the plan as 'positive,' and called 'comforting' the initial indications.

'It will succeed despite of challenges and difficulties,' he added.