World Tribune.com

Insurgents blow up house after alerting police: 29 dead

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Wednesday, December 29, 2004

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.


Copyright © 2004 East West Services, Inc.

Print this Article Print this Article Email this article Email this article Subscribe to this Feature Free Headline Alerts

Google
Search Worldwide Web Search WorldTribune.com Search WorldTrib Archives