Baghdad hit by bombing onslaught

The Iraqi capital Baghdad was hit by a series of explosions today killing at least a dozen people and wounding more than 100.

The blasts follow a string of attacks in Iraq this month that have claimed more than 200 lives and left hundreds more wounded, raising concerns about the abilities of Iraqi security forces to keep the lid on violence in advance of America’s troop withdrawal.

The co-ordinated car bomb blasts and mortar attacks began around midmorning , striking first near the Finance Ministry in northern Baghdad and then minutes later by the Foreign Ministry near the heavily protected Green Zone.

The deadliest explosion occurred near the Foreign Ministry killing at least seven and wounding at least 55.

A 10-storey building that is part of the ministry complex was badly damaged. The explosion was so strong that it also damaged nearby buildings and destroyed dozens of car outside.

The blast was large enough to damage windows in the parliament building, inside the Green Zone. The officials said at about the same time mortars also struck inside the Green Zone.

Another car bomb targeted a joint Iraqi police and army patrol just outside the finance ministry, killing one Iraqi soldier and two civilians.

In western Baghdad, a car bomb exploded in a commercial area in Bayaii, killing at least two and wounding five others.