Female Suicide Bomber Kills 39, Wounds Dozens In Karbala
Pictured: Cleaning up what’s left at the very popular Imam Hussein shrine.
KARBALA, Iraq — A female suicide bomber detonated her explosives-laden vest near a Shiite shrine killing at least 36 people on Monday in the central Iraqi city of Karbala, police and health officials told AFP.
The attack came as US Vice President Dick Cheney visited Baghdad on a surprise trip and met several US and Iraqi leaders to discuss the recent improvement in security across the country.
At least 50 people were wounded in the blast which occurred near the revered Imam Hussein shrine, said Alaa Hamud Dadair, head of Karbala’s health directorate.
The bomber was a woman, a local police officer said on condition of anonymity, adding she blew herself up near the shrine among a crowd of people.
An AFP correspondent at the site said several ambulances and police vehicles ferried victims to hospital following the blast which occurred around 100 metres (yards) from the shrine, located in the centre of the city.
The correspondent said the powerful explosion ripped people apart, sending body parts flying. Many bodies were charred.
Salim Kadhim, spokesman for the Karbala health directorate, said seven Iranian pilgrims were among those wounded in the blast.
Soon after the attack, police in Karbala, 110 kilometres (70 miles) south of Baghdad, imposed an indefinite curfew in the central districts of the city.
Insurgents have targeted the Shiite shrine city on a number of occasions in the past five years.
(AFP)
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On an unrelated note, I’m watching a mini series called John Adams on HB0, which is awesome. Its cool…. Americans standing up for their rights in the pursuit of their own freedom and anti war traitors bent on staying under the rule of Britain, doing whatever they can to derail the war.
Reminds me of a great quote…. “These are the times that try men’s souls” - Thomas Paine, Dec 23, 1776…at the height of public outcry to end the war on American Independence.
March 17th, 2008 at 11:18 amGood news for the media. Im sure they read this news with a fat
. kboom i watched that last night, best show on tv. Great acting, especially Paul Giamatti as John Adams.
March 17th, 2008 at 11:55 am