BAGHDAD Ñ At least 29 people were killed when Sunni insurgents
detonated a house full of explosives in Baghdad.
Iraqi police said the explosion in west Baghdad killed at least 29
people and wounded 18 in an attack that targeted police units. They said the
explosion came from a private residence believed to be an insurgency
hideout.
The explosion took place as police units entered the house in Baghdad's
Ghazaliya neighborhood on late Tuesday. The police were responding to an
anonymous call that reported an insurgency stronghold.
Seven of the 29 casualties were police officers. The house was detonated
as police units arrived at the building.
Officials said Iraqi police have been the target of Sunni insurgents as
Iraqi elections approach on Jan. 30. On Tuesday, at least 26 officers were
killed in a series of attacks throughout the country.
"The U.S. embassy in Baghdad, Iraq wishes to advise American citizens
visiting and residing in Iraq that potential for increased violence for New
Year is likely," the U.S. embassy said in a statement.
The U.S. military announced on Wednesday that 41 members of the former
Iraqi Republican Guard and Fedayeen Saddam were arrested in the northern
city of Kirkuk. The group was said to have included two Fedayeen commanders
and were accused of financing and directing attacks against U.S. and Iraqi
forces.