A car bomb went off during rush hour Monday along one of central Baghdad's most heavily trafficked streets, killing at least 13 people, including five foreigners.
Out of the 13 dead, some killed in shops and a two-story building that were heavily damaged in the strong explosion. The five killed foreigners included two Britons an American, a French national and a Filipino.
Capt. Issam Ali, the security officer at a nearby hospital, said three dead had been taken to his hospital and 14 people had been brought there with wounds, many of them with serious burns and lost limbs.
According to The AP, the blast took place in Tahrir Square, on the eastern end of the Jumhuria Bridge across the Tigris river. It was the 16th car bombing this month.
Witnesses said the bomb exploded as three civilian sport utility vehicles passed by. All three of the SUVs were damaged and one could be seen burning.
In all, at least eight vehicles had been destroyed in the blast, police said.
"Three American vehicles passed over the Jumhuria bridge heading to Tahrir Square," said one witness. "One of the civilian cars stopped in the traffic and exploded."
Meanwhile, the Iraqi crowd began to direct its anger at Americans who tried to secure the area, with people shouting "Allahu Akbar," or "God is Great," and "Down with the USA."
American soldiers brandished their weapons to try to restrain the crowd.
Three U.S. 1st Cavalry Division soldiers dragged a bystander away from the scene and beat him with a stick. Iraqi police fired in the air to drive back the crowd.
As the crowd grew more agitated, American troops and police began leaving the area. As the police left, the crowd poured kerosene into a car and set it on fire.
On hi part, Iraq's Prime Minister Iyad Allawi said after the attack "We deplore this terrorist act and vow to bring these criminals to justice as soon as possible." According to Allawi, the foreign victims were helping to rebuild power plants.
A second car bomb exploded Monday near the town of Salman Pak southeast of Baghdad. Police said a gray Opel drove between police vehicles and exploded, killing four people and injuring four others. (Albawaba.com)
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
