Posted on 08/19/2009 3:16:31 AM PDT by Zakeet
A series of explosions struck the Iraqi capital Wednesday, targeting primarily government and commercial buildings, killing at least 50 people and wounding more than 300 others, Iraqi police told Reuters.
The blasts follow a string of attacks in Iraq this month that have claimed more than 200 lives and left hundreds more wounded, raising concerns about the abilities of Iraqi security forces to keep the lid on violence in advance of the American withdrawal.
The seemingly coordinated car bomb blasts and mortar attacks began around midmorning Wednesday, striking first near the Finance Ministry in northern Baghdad and then minutes later by the Foreign Ministry near the Green Zone.
The deadliest explosion occurred near the Foreign Ministry, just outside Baghdad's heavily protected Green Zone, killing at least seven and wounding at least 55 people, an Iraqi police and medical official said.
A 10-story building that is part of the ministry complex was badly damaged. The explosion was so strong that it also damaged nearby buildings and destroyed dozens of car outside, according to AP Television News footage. A huge area outside the ministry was covered by debris and broken glass.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
I join you fervently in that prayer. I've seen Iraq go from Hell to sunlight and don't want to even imagine seeing it turn back again.
Heard he explosions this AM. Hope you’re OK.
Jerk
I think Bush meant to attack Iran for their very real weapons of destruction, but because of a typo in one of his memos, he ended up attacking Iraq instead.
Does anyone know if this is what really happened?
BTTT
There were WMD in Iraq and Saddam was funding several aspects of terrorism. He gassed his own people, for crying out loud.
Why don't you go research what some of your fellow Democrats had to say about that very same issue in 1998?
Six American soldiers took photographs at the wrecked ministry and then quickly left. Later, an American officer, who spoke in return for anonymity because he was not authorized to brief reporters, said United States forces were constrained by the agreement under which they handed over security responsibilities to Iraqi forces at the end of June. “As much as we want to come, we have to wait to be asked now,” he said.
That did not assuage some Iraqis, who blamed the 2003 American invasion for their nation’s perils and woes.
“This country is finished,” said one resident, Jamil Jaber, 45, whose five-room home behind the Foreign Ministry had been flattened by the explosion, crushing to death a 4-month-old infant. “It’s just robbery and killing.” He then cursed the United States and former President George W. Bush.
Have there ever been less grateful human beings than the Iraqis? I am SOOOO glad that GWB brought “freedom” to these people. /sarc
What's your source, anyway?
The Iraqis have thanked us publicly and privately on numerous occasions over the years, but the state-run media sources you cite will never admit that.
For example, you weren't in Iraq on their first election day in January of '05.
Quite obviously.
Steven, this is a site for people who respect our troops and their mission and have great compassion for the losses of our fellow Americans. Take your sarcasm and re-hashed old arguments over to the Daily Kos or DU where they are still dwelling on them.
I can tell you absolutely that the Iraqi people were deeply grateful.
Al Sadr's thugs were not. al Qaeda was not. But the Iraqi people trusted and respected the American troops.
I know that doesn't match your leftist talking points, but it's the truth.
Must feel great to be on the same side of the argument as the terrorists, eh steven? Takes the Biblical command to love your enemies to a whole new level. You become one with the enemy.
You must be SO proud.
That bastard is directly responsible for this by emboldening our enemies and the enemies of Iraq.
And I *don’t* mean since he’s become president. He and his ilk have done NOTHING for this effort to free a people since the beginning.
Was the IZ hit just outside the south entrance? I’m trying to remember where the various ministry buildings are.
Don’t know anything about the Finance Ministry. The only northern part of Baghdad I know is Sadr City, Shaab, and Ur.
The big boom nature of this attack makes it sound like AQI, too.
I've never said this to anyone here before but you can just Go to Hell!
My son was in Iraq 4X, he said from back in 2004 that Iran was far more involved than wehave any idea of.
Prayers for your son! My little brother is over there at FOB Falcon.
My understanding was that no Americans were killed or injured in the attack.
Iraqis are humans, too. And not our enemy. They hate the terrorists as much as we do, despite what all of your leftist sources portray.
The fact that AQI and/or the Mehdi Army is back at it is not good for Americans or Iraqis. And the vermin in Iran funds them both.
I know there’s such a thing as the fog of war.
But the radio said “75 were killed,” Fox says “50 were killed,” and then the London Times reports that “100 were killed.”
This is Iraq. Muslims are reporting the figures. I assume that maybe 20 were killed, and that Muslims are simply lying, inflating the numbers to gain sympathy and to rile up “their side” of the conflict. It’s what Muslims do.
/cynicism
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