Update 05:05 More than 150 people are dead and 520 wounded as a result of two suicide bombs that went off in the Green Zone, also known as the International Zone, in the centre of Baghdad, Iran, Sunday 25 October mid-morning. The bombers drove trucks into an area where security has been eased in recent weeks, then parked them shortly before detonating the bombs. US President Barack Obama expressed outrage at the simple hatefulness behind the work, while Iraq authorities have blamed neighbouring countries, reports Reuters: “a reference to Iraqi complaints that Syria provides a safe haven for former Baathists while citizens of other Sunni Muslim states help fund the insurgency in Iraq. Iran, meanwhile, has been accused of funding and arming Shi’ite militia.”
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Two massive bombs went off in the central part of Baghdad, killing more than 75 people and leaving more than 300 wounded. A truck with a bomb hidden in it went off outside of the Iraqi foreign ministry, just outside of the protected Green Zone. It left a crater 3 metres deep and 10 metres wide. Another bomb went off near the finance ministry. Several smaller explosions, believed to be mortars, were also reported. It was the deadliest day since the US military forces handed back security to the Iraqi forces. Bomb attacks are still common in Baghdad but have tended to target poor Shia neighbourhoods. BBC, CNN
