Four killed in Baghdad blasts

A WAVE of bombings targeting Baghdad’s Christian community killed at least four people and wounded 19 yesterday less than two weeks after a siege at a Baghdad church left scores dead.

At least 11 roadside bombs detonated within an hour of each other in three predominantly Christian areas of central Baghdad.

Four of the blasts hit houses belonging to Christians, and two mortar rounds also struck Christian enclaves.

The violence underlines the threat to Iraq’s minority Christian community still in shock after the massacre at a Catholic cathedral last week that left 58 people dead. Al-Qaida claimed responsibility and threatened more violence against Christians.

The attacks come after bombings on Tuesday hit three empty houses belonging to Christians in western Baghdad.

Younadem Kana, a Christian member of the Iraqi parliament, blamed police and military for failing to protect the Christian community despite boosting security measures at churches.