Christmas bombings kill 34 in Baghdad

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Reuters : Baghdad, Thu Dec 26 2013, 02:27 hrs

At least 34 people were killed in three bombings in Christian areas of Baghdad on Wednesday, including a car bomb that exploded as worshippers were leaving a Christmas service, Iraqi police and medics said.

Elsewhere in Iraq, at least 10 people were killed in three attacks that targeted police and Shi’ite pilgrims, police said.

Iraq is enduring its deadliest violence in years, reviving memories of the sectarian bloodshed between Sunni and Shi’ite Muslims that killed tens of thousands in 2006-07.

The day’s deadliest incident occurred in the Doura district when the car bomb went off as Christians were emerging from a Christmas mass, killing at least 24 people. Shortly before, two bombs in a crowded market in a separate, mostly Christian area of Doura killed another 10 people.

A policeman on duty in the area said the sound of the first of the two explosions caused worshippers to leave the church. “A car parked near the church exploded when the families were hugging each other goodbye before leaving,” he said.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/ch...ghdad/1211826/