Attacks continue ahead of Iraqi election

A WAVE of car bombings shook the Iraqi capital Baghdad yesterday, killing at least 12 people as rebels stepped up their offensive to block the January 30 national election.

Other attacks were reported north and south of the capital, but the UN election chief said only a sustained onslaught could stop the ballot.

US military officials put the death toll from the day’s violence at 26, but the number was based on initial field reports and witnesses and Iraqi officials put the toll lower. Iraqi authorities said 12 people were killed in the bombings and another person killed in a drive-by shooting on a Kurdish political party office.