capital Baghdad, Sunday, January 18, as it exploded outside the United States-led coalition headquarters, military officials and witnesses said.
The car bomb, which was reportedly felt kilometres away, underscored concern about security in the troubled nation, especially among Christians who have been singled out by extremists for their alleged support for America.
It happened as believers in Baghdad prepared for Sunday Church services, which continue despite ongoing violence and often audible gun shots, BosNewsLife established.
"At three minutes after eight (in the morning) a vehicle driven by a terrorist detonated just outside of one of our major checkpoints with approximately 1,000 pounds [450 kilos] of explosives" in the white pick-up truck said Colonel Ralph Baker, responsible for security in the area.
MANY INJURED
"At least 20 people have lost their lives and almost 60 were injured," explained U.S. Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt later at another press briefing with reporters. Other reports put the death toll as high as 25, while around 130 people were said to have been injured in the blast.
Most of the dead were Iraqis but they included at least two American contract workers, U.S. military officials said shortly after the explosion outside the Assassin’s Gate checkpoint, crowded with people and cars waiting to enter the walled compound.
Television footage showed survivors near dead bodies, in clear pain, as ambulances rushed to the scene after being inspected by heavily armed American forces.
TRAPPED IN CARS
Witnesses said other people died while being trapped in burning cars. It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the attack, but Iraqi officials blamed the attacks on allies of ousted President Saddam Hussein.
The blast came the day before Iraqi and U.S. officials, including American civilian administrator Paul Bremer, are to meet United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan in New York to discuss a future U.N. role in Iraq.
It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the attack, but Iraqi officials blamed the blast on allies of ousted President Saddam Hussein.
500 SOLDIERS DIED
Although at least 500 American soldiers have died since the outbreak of the war, remnants of the old regime backed by terrorist groups from neighboring countries are increasingly aiming at Iraqi civilians, U.S. officials say.
In addition over 200 Muslim politicians and intellectuals have urged an end to "Shi’a Muslim groups attacking Christians", ANS learned earlier this week.
The group also urged Islamic religious leaders to issue fatwas forbidding such "atrocious crimes against humanity and the Islamic [sic] religion".
"Horrific" crimes had been committed against women, forcing them to wear the veil and worst of all was the "terrorizing of our Christian brothers", intimidating them to become Muslims, the group said in its statement.
