A bomb explosion in Mredi market, a popular market for birds in Sadr City, a poor Shia district in eastern Baghdad, Iraq killed over 70 people and wounded more than 150 early evening 24 June, just days before US military forces are to withdraw from city centres around Iraq. It was the worst such bombing to date in 2009. The bomb was hidden under vegetables on a motorcycle-driven cart, witnesses said. The US signed an agreement with the Iraqi government last year under which all US offensive forces are to withdraw from cities and towns by 30 June, leaving internal security to Iraqi forces. The Pentagon said yesterday it expected more violence in the run-up to its withdrawal but that it would not alter its plans. BBC, CNN, Reuters

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