Baghdad peace shattered by deadly blasts
Smoke rises above Baghdad after today's explosions
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By Alistair Potter. |  |
Wednesday, 19, Aug 2009 05:20
At least 95 people are believed to have been killed in a series of bomb blasts in the Iraqi capital Baghdad.
The explosions are reported to have occurred in the city's heavily-fortified Green Zone near key government departments.
Iraqi police claim over 500 other people have also been injured in the blasts, which occurred first near the foreign ministry and then near the finance ministry.
Eyewitnesses also claim three mortars landed in and around the heavily-protected area.
The first blast is said to have been a car bomb parked near the foreign ministry, leaving a huge crater and shattering windows in nearby buildings.
Violence in Iraq has reduced significantly in recent months, but some cities are continuing to witness attacks, despite US forces withdrawing from the centres, and president Barack Obama's commitment to end combat operations by August next year.