A series of coordinated bombing attacks rocked five churches across Baghdad and the northern city of Mosul on Sunday, killing at least 11 people and wounding more than 50.
Two car bombs went off just minutes apart outside two nearby churches in central Baghdad during Sunday evening services. A third blast was reported shortly later. Interior Ministry spokesman Sabah Kadhim said a total of four churches were hit in Baghdad, two in Karada, one in the Dora neighborhood and one in New Baghdad.
U.S. military officials said at least one and possible both of the blasts appeared to have been booby-trapped cars in the city's Karada neighborhood.
The first blast hit outside an Armenian church just 15 minutes into the evening service, witnesses said, according to The AP. The second blast hit a Catholic church about 200 yards away. The Baghdad attacks killed 10 people and injured more than 40 others, according to a U.S. military statement. The Mosul blast killed one person and injured 11 others, police Maj. Fawaz Fanaan said.
However, an eyewitness told Reuters at least 12 people were killed in one of the four attacks in Baghdad.
In the northern city of Mosul, a double car bomb exploded at the same time outside a church, police said.
The bombs went off at 7:15 am outside the Mar Polis church in the Mohandessin neighbourhood in the center of the city, said Major Mohammed Omar Taha. (albawaba.com)
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
