vta
02-01-2008, 09:21 AM
Link (http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/02/01/iraq.main/index.html)
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Two mentally disabled women were strapped with explosives and sent into busy Baghdad markets, where they were blown up Friday, a top Iraqi government official said.
The bombs killed at least 53 people and wounded more than 175 at two popular pet markets on the holiest day of the week for Muslims, authorities said.
In both bombings, the attackers were mentally disabled women whose explosive belts were remotely detonated, Gen. Qasim Atta, spokesman for Baghdad's security plan, told state television.
An aide to Atta said that people referred to the bomber at central Baghdad's al-Ghazil market as the "crazy woman" and that the bomber at a second market had an unspecified birth disability.
The nationalities and identities of the women have not been released.
The U.S. military blamed the bombings on al Qaeda in Iraq.
"By targeting innocent Iraqis they show their true demonic character," said Lt. Col. Steve Stover, spokesman for the Multi-National Division-Baghdad.
"They care nothing for the Iraqi people; they want to subjugate them and forcefully create a greater Islamic sharia state," he said, referring to Islamic law...
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Two mentally disabled women were strapped with explosives and sent into busy Baghdad markets, where they were blown up Friday, a top Iraqi government official said.
The bombs killed at least 53 people and wounded more than 175 at two popular pet markets on the holiest day of the week for Muslims, authorities said.
In both bombings, the attackers were mentally disabled women whose explosive belts were remotely detonated, Gen. Qasim Atta, spokesman for Baghdad's security plan, told state television.
An aide to Atta said that people referred to the bomber at central Baghdad's al-Ghazil market as the "crazy woman" and that the bomber at a second market had an unspecified birth disability.
The nationalities and identities of the women have not been released.
The U.S. military blamed the bombings on al Qaeda in Iraq.
"By targeting innocent Iraqis they show their true demonic character," said Lt. Col. Steve Stover, spokesman for the Multi-National Division-Baghdad.
"They care nothing for the Iraqi people; they want to subjugate them and forcefully create a greater Islamic sharia state," he said, referring to Islamic law...