US blames militia after Baghdad truck bombing kills 63
Wednesday, 18 Jun 2008 10:23
US military blames militants for truck bombing that killed 63 people
Iraq In Focus
Turmoil in Iraq has dominated news headlines since Saddam Hussein's statue toppled in Baghdad nearly four years ago. Full Story
The US military has claimed a "special groups" militant cell is responsible for a truck bombing that has killed 63 people.
The blast occurred near a crowded market in the al-Hurriya district of northwestern Baghdad, killing at least four children and five women, according to Iraqi police.
And the explosion, which has also left a further 75 people injured, is likely to have been carried out by a Shi'ite "special group" with the intention of inciting Sunni-Shi'ite violence, US military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Steve Stover was quoted by the Associated Press news agency as saying.
Many people were trapped in their apartments as a fire raged following the explosion, igniting a generator used to power nearby buildings and offices.
Witness Khalid Hassan said the blast occurred "because there wasn't any security presence by the Iraqi army or police at the scene, not even any checkpoint".
"People were confused, upset and running in all directions. We are all victims of terrorism and carelessness," he added.
In a statement following the blast, Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Maliki said the perpetrators were likely to have been motivated by a desire to boost terrorist morale after recent failures.
"This crime will not influence our determination and resolve to defeat the terrorists and to maintain the security achievements," a statement issued on behalf of his cabinet said.
"Moreover, it will increase our resolve to save the capital and the provinces from terrorists, killers and outlaws."
The explosion is the deadliest bombing in Baghdad since 68 people were killed and 120 wounded by two bombs in the Shi'ite Karradah district. 