Source:
Reuters BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Car bombs killed at least 22 people in Baghdad and three other cities on Wednesday but U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates on an unannounced visit said a secure, stable Iraq was within reach.
A car bomb near a Shi'ite mosque in central Baghdad killed at least 14 people and wounded 24 as they gathered for evening prayers, making it the city's deadliest strike since September.
Gunfire could be heard and a column of black smoke rose over the area after the blast in the middle class mainly-Shi'ite Karrada district, just across the Tigris River from the heavily fortified "Green Zone" compound where Gates met Iraqi officials.
Just a few months ago, attacks on that scale were common, often taking place several times in a week.
"More than ever, I believe that the goal of a secure, stable and democratic Iraq is within reach," Gates told a news conference less than an hour after the blast.
"We need to be patient. We also need to be absolutely resolved in our desire to see the nascent signs of hope across Iraq expand and flourish so that all Iraqis can enjoy peace and prosperity."
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http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071205/ts_nm/iraq_dc_7
Todays reported security incidents:
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L05138348.htmFACTBOX-Security developments in Iraq, Dec 5
05 Dec 2007 17:03:02 GMT
Source: Reuters
Dec 5 (Reuters) - Following are security developments in Iraq at 1700 GMT on Wednesday.
* denotes new or updated items.
* BAGHDAD - A car bomb near a Shi'ite mosque in central Baghdad's Karrada district killed 15 people and wounded 33, police said.
* BAGHDAD - Four bodies were found in different areas of Baghdad, police said.
* SULAIMANIYA - Bombs destroyed a shop selling alcohol in the town of Sayyid Sadiq near the Iranian border southeast of Sulaimaniya, 330 km (205 miles) northeast of Baghdad, on Tuesday, police said.
KIRKUK - A parked car bomb killed two people in southern Kirkuk, 250 km (155 miles) north of Baghdad, police and hospital sources said. The bomb targeted the convoy of a police commander, Brigadier-General Kakamen Hameed, who was among 10 people wounded. One of his bodyguards was among the two killed.
MOSUL - A parked car bomb killed one civilian and wounded seven others, including a policeman, in central Mosul, 390 km (240 miles) north of Baghdad, police said.
BAGHDAD - Two policemen were wounded by a roadside bomb targeting their patrol in Baghdad's western Yarmouk district, police said.
DHULUIYA - One body was found with gunshot wounds in the town of Dhuluiya, 70 km (45 miles) north of Baghdad, police said.
BAQUBA - A parked car bomb killed five people and wounded 13 on a road near a number of government offices in the city of Baquba, 65 km (40 miles) north of Baghdad, police said.
SALAHUDDIN PROVINCE - Two U.S. soldiers were killed and two others wounded when gunmen opened fire after a roadside bomb exploded in Salahuddin province on Tuesday, the U.S. military said.
ANBAR PROVINCE - One U.S. soldier was killed and two injured by an explosion in Anbar province in western Iraq on Monday, the U.S. military said.
KUT - Gunmen killed a sheikh in a drive by-shooting in western Kut, 170 km (100 miles) southeast of Baghdad, police said.