Car Bomb Kills 20 in Baghdad

A car bomb exploded near a crowded market in a mainly Shiite area of Baghdad today, killing as many as 20 people, Iraqi officials said, in the sixth major attack in Iraq this month. The blast occurred a day after the US military said overall attacks nationwide have fallen to levels equal to the early months of the war.

The explosives-laden car was parked behind concrete barriers surrounding a private hospital near a bus stop and shops in the eastern Shaab district, the officials said. The recent uptick in bombings shows the resiliency of militants hit hard in US-Iraqi military operations and who appear to be choosing targets carefully to maximize casualties. "I feel sad that violence is coming back after a recent period of calm security,” said a witness.
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