Women and children among 50 dead in Baghdad yesterday

Gunmen sprayed grenades and automatic weapons fire in a market south of Baghdad, killing at least 50 people, mostly Shiites yesterday. The sectarian attack drew an angry protest from lawmakers who accused Iraqi forces of standing idly by during the rampage.

Women and children were among the dead and wounded in the assault in Mahmoudiya, hospital officials said. Late yesterday, police said they found 12 bodies in different parts of town, possible victims of reprisal killings.