Iraq Blasts Kill 22, Including 2 Americans (NEW)

[KoKo]

Iraq Blasts Kill 22, Including 2 Americans
AP - 2 hours, 5 minutes ago

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Two suicide car bombers plowed into a foreign security company convoy in the heart of Baghdad on Saturday, killing at least 22 people — including two Americans — in an attack that left a busy traffic circle strewn with burning vehicles, mutilated bodies and bloodied school children. The U.S. military said the two suicide attackers crashed their explosives-packed cars into a three-vehicle convoy in Tahrir Square, known for its shops and a large statue of Iraqi soldiers breaking through chains to freedom.

At least 22 people were killed, including the two Americans, who were employees of the company that owned the targeted SUVs, the U.S. Embassy said without identifying the company. Three other American civilians were injured in the attack, the embassy said. Hospital officials said at least 36 Iraqis were wounded.

Rescue workers lifted injured school girls onto stretchers, including one with bandages wrapped around her neck and blood streaming down her legs. Firefighters fought the blaze, which sent thick black smoke billowing into the sky.

Iman Norman rushed to al-Kindi Hospital to be with her 12-year-old daughter, Lana, one of several girls injured aboard a minibus. Iman said the students climbed out of the bus' windows in their bloodied uniforms after the bomb damaged its doors. Lana's injury wasn't serious, but one student lost an eye, Norman said.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050508/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq

[thebigidea]

1. good progress blah blah shows how desperate they are blah blah

"Instead of pointing fingers, it seems to me, at the security forces of the coalition because there are acts of violence taking place against Iraqi people in this country, it's important for the Iraqi people to step up and take responsibility for the security by providing information to General Sanchez and his people to a greater extent than they're doing."

- Donald Rumsfeld

[Erika]

2. To check out info see

www.icasualties.org. I will always until the day we leave ask why we are there? Why are our kids and military dying in a country the size of California who never was a danger to us.

[saigon68]

8. U.S. Embassy said without identifying the company

More "Secret from the Sheep" payments to the Bush Criminals hit squads. These private THUGS and Hoodlums are well noticed in the Muslim World and the reason NO ONE, but like minded thugs like Mussharif will do business with amerika

[Syrinx]

3. if it says Saturday, it's not new. n/t

[Erika]

4. Remember the time zones

Like I said, check www.icasualties.org. Check their dates. This is a new report. I know it sounds like a repeat of yesterday but so has every newscast for a long time. This is what to expect.

[Syrinx]

5. Iraq is well ahead of us time-wise

So I think this report is not new.

[Erika]

6. You may be right.

[Syrinx]

7. thanks

I forget the exact difference. It's nine hours or so. I welcome clarification. I just can't recall.

[DrDebug]

9. Look at the spin they are now reporting

Let's turn everything upside down!


Upsurge in Iraq bloodshed as US seizes key militants
Military says latest violence is sign of anti-terrorist success

After one of the bloodiest weeks in Iraq since the fall of Saddam, US military officials have claimed that the dramatic upsurge in violence is proof they are close to breaking up the terrorist network of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the Jordanian-born leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq.

In the last nine days, about 250 Iraqis - mostly from the country's fledgling security services - have died in a series of suicide bombings which continued yesterday when two car bombs killed 22, including two Americans, at one of Baghdad's busiest road junctions.

Despite the escalating violence, American officials this weekend took the unusual step of announcing that the bloodshed was the insurgents' response to the headway they claim they are making in breaking up the terror networks.

According to the statement, at least 20 'trusted lieutenants' of Zarqawi - the most wanted man in Iraq - have been captured or killed in recent months, including 'terror-cell leaders, propaganda chiefs, bomb-makers, drivers and other key lieutenants'.
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,6903,1479036,00.html

Lies, lies, lies and even more lies.