Iraqi police and medical officials say that a series of explosions have struck Baghdad, killing at least 58 people and wounding nearly 300 others.

 

According to AP, the attacks in the Iraqi capital started shortly after 10 a.m. on Wednesday, striking first near the finance ministry in northern Baghdad and then minutes later, near the foreign ministry next to the heavily fortified Green Zone.

The officials say the deadliest blast was a car bomb explosion near the foreign ministry, which killed dozens and wounded hundreds. The officials say the toll is expected to climb.

They say five other explosions, mostly from car bombs, tore through Baghdad, killing at least eight people and wounding dozens more.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information.

The terrorist blasts are believed to be the work of the US-backed elements trying to destabilize the country in order to provide a pretext for the American forces to re-enter Iraqi urban areas. 

 

Source: IRIB

August 19, 2009