Deadly blast hits southern Iraq

[Turborama]

Source: BBC

A deadly car bomb has exploded in a crowded market in the southern Iraqi town of Bathaa, killing at least 28 people, say officials.

Dozens of people were reported to have been injured in the mid-morning attack.

The area has been the scene of fierce fighting in the past between rival Shia militia factions.

The attack comes weeks before US forces are due to withdraw from towns and cities in Iraq, leading to concerns that violence could escalate.

=snip=

Bathas's mayor, Ali Fahad, said the casualties were being taken to a hospital in Nasiriya, about 30km away. "Children and women are among the dead," he said.

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8092678.stm

[saigon68]

1. fierce fighting in the past between rival Shia militia factions

Gee does that sound familiar. Our Puppet Gov there is a farce. The only thing propping it up is amerikan children in large numbers keeping the lid on.

[customerserviceguy]

2. In Iraq, they can't wait

until we're gone to renew killing each other. We need to get our servicemembers out of harm's way, and that includes Afghanistan as well. Both of those places are not ready for Western democracy. Five hundred years ago, Europe wasn't either. A region's people has to decide that religion is not as important as cooperation, and they're just not there yet.

[seabeckind]

3. It's really heartbreaking

what we did to those people. I just cannot imagine...and the ones who brought it all about are swaggering and slithering around.

I don't know what Saddam was like but no people deserve what they have now.

But what price freedom? It's on the march. Maybe we ought to get Halliburton and Blackwater back in there to do some more training </sarcasm>