BAGHDAD, (Associated Press): Bombs hidden in plastic bags near a falafel stand exploded at a market in a mainly Shi’ite area of Baghdad yesterday, killing at least eight civilians and wounding 21, Iraqi officials said. It was the latest in a series of bombings targeting Shi’ites and minorities in the capital and northern Iraq.

The US military has said insurgents are trying to re-ignite sectarian bloodshed that pushed the country to the brink of civil war, but Shi’ites so far have shown restraint.

The bags packed with explosives were left among a pile of garbage and exploded shortly before 8 p.m. as the district was crowded with people enjoying the evening.

Several stores were also damaged in the blast, , according to police and hospital officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information.

The spike in violence follows the June 30 withdrawal of American troops from urban areas, heightening concerns about the ability of Iraqi forces to protect the people.

Political tensions have also risen further as the country prepares for national elections scheduled for January.

Violence has fluctuated throughout the year, but the intense period of bombings in recent days has indicated a more sustained effort, with nearly 160 people killed since Aug. 7.

Mindful of the fears, the Iraqi government said yesterday that it has indefinitely postponed a nationwide census after warnings that it could stoke ethnic and political tension.

The population count, which had been scheduled for Oct. 24, was going to be an attempt to settle controversies over the size of the country’s religious and ethnic communities.

Source: AP

August 17th, 2009