http://wireservice.wired.com/wired/story.asp?section=Breaking&storyId=797897&tw=wn_wire_storyBASRA, Iraq (Reuters) - A bomb planted on a street in the southern city of Basra tore apart a minibus Tuesday, killing at least three Iraqis and scattering body parts across the road in the latest deadly guerrilla attack in Iraq.
Iraqi police said no British soldiers, who are in charge of security in Basra, were in the area at the time of the blast near a police checkpoint in the mainly Shi'ite city.
Southern Iraq has seen fewer attacks on occupying troops than Baghdad and the surrounding Sunni Muslim heartland. At least 153 U.S. and 12 British soldiers have been killed in action since Washington declared major combat over on May 1.
The United States has been pushing for other countries to send troops to help secure Iraq, and is also trying to give more responsibility for security to Iraqi police and troops.
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said Monday that Washington was not looking for an exit strategy, and that his top commanders had assured him the insurgency was under control.
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Southern Iraq has been constanty shown as the "stable" Iraq with inference that only the Sunni Triangle having any real problems. Right, Rummy. Everything under control.