Three blasts in southeastern Iraq kill 11, injure dozens

Three blasts in southeastern Iraq kill 11, injure dozens

2011-11-25 01:32:29 GMT+7 (ICT)

BASRA, IRAQ (BNO NEWS) -- At least eleven people were killed on early Thursday evening when three bomb blasts hit a market in the Iraqi city of Basra, police said. Dozens more were injured.

The attacks began when two blasts hit near the Khamismeel outdoor market in Basra, a city in southeastern Iraq near the borders with Iran and Kuwait. Police said two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) exploded in the area, followed by a motorcycle bomb a short time later.

The third bomb blast caused most of the casualties and apparently targeted security forces which responded to the initial explosions. Police confirmed at least eleven people had been killed while more than 60 others were injured, some of them seriously.

The National Iraqi News Agency (NINA) reported that among the fatalities were at least ten police officers and military personnel, including the Commander of the 23rd Brigade and the Deputy Chief of Basra Police. It gave no other details.

Iraq has witnessed a resurgence in militant attacks in recent months. But despite the upsurge, violence in Iraq has dropped significantly since its peak in 2006 and 2007 when the country was embroiled in sectarian bloodshed. However, deadly shootings and bombings still occur on an almost daily basis.

Less than 35,000 U.S. troops remain in Iraq, nearly nine years since the U.S.-led war began on March 20, 2003. According to a security agreement between Baghdad and Washington, all U.S. forces will be withdrawn from Iraq by the end of 2011.

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