70 killed in Iraq car bombing and suicide attack

CAR bombs and a suicide attacker struck crowded areas in Baghdad and former insurgent strongholds to the north and west of the capital yesterday, killing more than 70 people and breaking a recent lull in violence in the predominantly Sunni areas.

The attacks were a deadly reminder of the threat posed by suspected Sunni insurgents even as clashes between Shiite militia fighters and US-Iraqi forces continued elsewhere.

The first blast occurred in Baqouba, 50km north-east of Baghdad, when a car parked in front of a restaurant exploded just before noon across the street from the central courthouse and other government offices.

Several cars and minibuses were set ablaze, while more than 10 shops and the restaurant were heavily damaged.

At least 53 people were killed and 90 wounded in the blast, according to hospital officials.

It was the deadliest bombing in Iraq since a pair of female suicide bombers struck two pet markets, killing 99 people in a co-ordinated attack in Baghdad on February 1.

A suicide attacker on a motorcycle later drove up to a kebab restaurant in Ramadi and detonated his explosives vest around 12:30pm, killing at least 13 people including three policemen and wounding 20 other people. Hospital officials said two children were among the dead.