BAGHDAD, Iraq, Dec. 30, 2006

Bombings Kill At Least 80 Iraqis

Despite Concerns, There Was No Indication Violence Was Related To Saddam's Execution

    • Fire fighters put out the flames at the scene of a triple car bombing in a Shiite neighbourhood of Al-Horreya district in Baghdad December 30, 2006.

      Fire fighters put out the flames at the scene of a triple car bombing in a Shiite neighbourhood of Al-Horreya district in Baghdad December 30, 2006.  (AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP/Getty Images)

    • Iraqis go through the debris at a bomb explosion scene in Kufa, 100 miles south of Baghdad, Iraq, Saturday, Dec. 30, 2006.

      Iraqis go through the debris at a bomb explosion scene in Kufa, 100 miles south of Baghdad, Iraq, Saturday, Dec. 30, 2006.  (AP Photo/Alaa al-Marjani)

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  • Photo Essay Saddam's Final Moments

    Saddam Hussein went to the gallows Dec. 30, 2006. Contains photos some may find disturbing.

(AP)  At least 80 Iraqis died in bombings and other attacks Saturday as they prepared to celebrate Islam's biggest holiday, their first without Saddam Hussein.

The bombings came hours after Saddam was hanged in Baghdad for ordering the killings of 148 Shiites in the city of Dujail in 1982. Despite concerns about a spike in unrest, Saturday's violence was not unusually high for Iraq, nor did it appear to be in retaliation for the execution.

The military reported the deaths of six more American troops, making December the deadliest month this year for U.S. forces in Iraq. At least 2,998 members of the U.S. military have been killed since the Iraq war began in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count.

In Baghdad, 12 bodies bearing signs of torture were also found in various parts of the city, police said.

Two car bombs detonated one after another in a religiously mixed neighborhood of northwest Baghdad, killing 37 civilians and wounding 76, police said.

Another 31 people died and 58 were injured when a bomb planted on a minibus exploded in a fish market in a mostly Shiite town south of Baghdad, said Issa Mohammed, director of the morgue in the neighboring town of Najaf.

The man blamed for parking the vehicle in Kufa, about 100 miles south of the Iraqi capital, was cornered and killed by a mob as he walked away from the explosion, police and witnesses said.

Shoppers had crowded into the market to buy supplies for the four-day Eid al-Adha, the most important holiday of the Islamic calendar for Shiites.

Television footage showed hundreds of men in traditional Arab headdresses swarming around the minibus' charred frame, toppled on its side in the street. Ambulances and fire trucks pulled up to the site, and a coffin was loaded on top of a car.

The new deaths announced by the U.S. military included three Marines who died Thursday of wounds from fighting in western Anbar province, the U.S. military said.

A soldier also died in combat Friday in Anbar, and two others were killed by roadside bombs in separate incidents in Baghdad Friday, the military said.

Their deaths brought the December toll for U.S. troops to 109, making it the deadliest month of 2006 for American service members. Some 105 troops died in October.

In related developments:

  • Dozens of Iraqi-Americans gathered at a Detroit-area mosque to celebrate reports that Saddam Hussein had been executed. Meanwhile, some local Arab-American leaders warned that Saddam's execution would increase violence in Iraq.

  • The total U.S. death toll in Iraq teetered on the brink of 3,000 at a crucial time, as President Bush seeks to craft a new Iraq policy in the new year. Bush issued a statement from his ranch in Crawford, Texas, warning of more challenges ahead for American troops.

    Continued



    © MMVI The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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    by rs_layton December 31, 2006 9:28 PM EST
    For you Christians - and maybe Muslims?
    When we lack the faith and love of God that he wants us to have for HIM and fall into the quaqmire of disobedience and rebellion we begin to suffer the consequences of our flesh and begin to lust after the worldly things which have dire consequences especially disharmony.
    The important thing to remember is that wars and
    terrorism are caused caused by three factors -
    1)Pride (Lust for Importance) 2)Position (Lust for status or power) 3)Possession (Lust for Wealth) - See Book of Matthew p 931 ch 1-28 Holy Bible
    God Bless all of you and have a happy new year
    Reply to this comment
    by ikez78 December 31, 2006 1:36 PM EST
    I figured there would be full blown Bush hatred in here on an event that shouldn't have anything to do with hating a man for REMOVING A MURDERING TYRANT.

    You lefties who are supposedly so concerned about Human Rights, why is it that you are not concerned about the lives of Hussein's victims which numbered nearly a MILLION during his reign?

    The answer is because you don't give a *** about "human rights", you are ignorant leftist partisan hacks who simply blame America and pro America figures first, second and last, always. You people ought to just move the hell out of the country if you hate what we stand for you ignorant hypocrites.

    By the way, those interested in seeing Hussein's regime of terror detailed and how he threatened America and their allies go to www.regimeofterror.com
    Reply to this comment
    by ikez78 December 31, 2006 1:35 PM EST
    I figured there would be full blown Bush hatred in here on an event that shouldn't have anything to do with hating a man for REMOVING A MURDERING TYRANT.

    You lefties who are supposedly so concerned about Human Rights, why is it that you are not concerned about the lives of Hussein's victims which numbered nearly a MILLION during his reign?

    The answer is because you don't give a *** about "human rights", you are ignorant leftist partisan hacks who simply blame America and pro America figures first, second and last, always. You people ought to just move the hell out of the country if you hate what we stand for you ignorant hypocrites.

    By the way, those interested in seeing Hussein's regime of terror detailed and how he threatened America and their allies go to www.regimeofterror.com
    Reply to this comment
    by randalds December 31, 2006 6:07 AM EST
    What's truly sad to me, but few enough others, is that when I hear about 80 or 90 or 100 Iraqis killed in this war of choice by Bush, I actually honestly think of them as real human beings. Every one of them was born to a mother and father that loved them. Every one of them was a sweet, smiling, gurgling baby just like we've all had or seen. Every one of them had dreams and hopes and ideas and thoughts of how to make their lives and maybe the lives of others better. Or maybe they didn't. Maybe their dreams were just simple ones, just to have a quiet live of peace, hard work, a decent paycheck, a good car and a wife and kids who looked up to them. In other words they are every bit as real as we are. As Americans, even Texans are.

    But to people like Bush they are no more real (and even less so) then the American men and women he has sent to die in this insane war. He has no soul. He has no heart. He's incomplete, the human parts of him are missing.

    Real human beings on all side are dying and being maimed beyond repair and Bush doesn't care.
    Reply to this comment
    by ceres5 December 31, 2006 5:04 AM EST
    Decent and civilized people do not celebrate the death of a human being. The news media is showing many shiites in Iraq cheering the death of Saddam Hussein. I don't believe Saddam's death will improve the domestic ratings of Mr. Bush and his government, as Mr. Bush is inclined to think. Something for sure will occur is that many more millions of people in most countries of our planet will profess a deeper hatred toward Mr. Bush and the American people. The admiration that most people in the world felt for the United States is mostly gone. It will take hard work, intelligence, and a long time to repair the serious damage done.
    Reply to this comment
    by defirststate December 31, 2006 5:04 AM EST
    At least 80 more on your conscience should you obtain one, Dumbya.
    Reply to this comment
    by nadeau4201 December 31, 2006 12:17 AM EST
    Thanks randall I'll check those out as well. The one I am referring to is by Dr.Justin Frank.
    Reply to this comment
    by antoniof123 December 30, 2006 10:17 PM EST
    Yes, it will be pretty bad and it is coming not if but when. The problem is this administration is so bent on their religious belief that they can bring about the end. Well, some how I do not think that God is going to welcome them with open arms.
    Reply to this comment
    by randalds December 30, 2006 8:52 PM EST
    I haven't heard of that one nadeau4201, but I'll check it out. My favorites so far are "The I Hate Republicans Reader" and it's sequel "The I Hate George W. Bush Reader". Both are fantastic collections of screw-ups and *** over that Bush has done so far.
    Reply to this comment
    by nadeau4201 December 30, 2006 8:24 PM EST
    Randall... Have you ever heard of the book "Bush on the couch"? If so, is it worth reading?
    Reply to this comment
    by bluestardad December 30, 2006 9:54 AM EST
    So what brain dead Yes Men are going to sign up for this troop increase just for a promotion?
    Reply to this comment
    by bmanther December 30, 2006 9:43 AM EST
    Randal, thanks for your comments. You have put in writing all the things I have been thinking and saying for months. Barbara Bush is a retarded ***. I want to see Georgie tried of war crimes and also executed in the name of the people of America.
    Reply to this comment
    by randalds December 30, 2006 7:25 AM EST
    Runs in the family. None of them care about human beings.
    Reply to this comment
    by December 30, 2006 6:58 AM EST
    RandalDS wrote:

    "Come on Georgie!...After all, you're the "war president", right? You ****king as*shole!"

    I guess it's like his mum, ol' man Barbara Bush told Good Morning America on the day of the Invasion of Iraq:

    "Why should we hear about body bags and deaths? Oh, I mean, it's not relevant. So why should I waste my beautiful mind on something like that?"

    It's plain to see that GW's mum is a f*cking a*shole as well.
    Reply to this comment
    by randalds December 30, 2006 6:51 AM EST
    Come on Georgie! Only 4 more deaths to 3000! Only 4 more families that you'll never know! Only 4 more bodies that aren't of anyone you know! I mean it's not like they're real people, right? Not like they're human ****king beings, right? After all, it's not like they're your trust-fund brat twins right? Hell there's plenty of time for them to flash the family "bush" life Britney did, right? There's plenty of time for them to make you proud as media (and other kinds) of ******. Right as*shole?
    Reply to this comment
    by randalds December 30, 2006 6:30 AM EST
    Come on Georgie! We're at 2996 for the war! You can make 3000 before New Years! Rah Rah Rah! Come one Georgie! Hell we broke 106 for the month so it's the highest month for casualties in more then a year! You can do it Georgie! After all, you're the "war president", right?

    You ****king as*shole!

    Men and women, real ones, are dying because of YOUR ego! You piece of sh*it! Real human beings are dying because of you alone. Real limbs are being blown off never to come back again. Hell I even saw a guy on the internet who had his face blown off. No eyes, nose or mouth. Just a tube into what used to be his throat so he could breath. What's his life going to be like Bushie? Think he'll sing your ****king praises? He's your true legacy you motherfu*cker! He's what you have left behind! Do us all a favor and blow your brains out as*shole!
    Reply to this comment
    by farmerterry December 30, 2006 5:57 AM EST
    Bakshish is so culturally ubiquitous in the ME that Saddam could have been more easily offed if they had taken all the millions and billions wasted on this war and instead put to good use paying off Saddam's relatives and others around him to get lost long enough or permanantly enough in order to get Saddam into the cross hairs. ("Here's fifty million and a one way plane ticket.") This could have all been expedited while the UN was on the ground in Iraq during the run up to the war when people were talking with one another. But Nooo, the Bushies et al needed a war.
    Reply to this comment
    by trunks1982 December 30, 2006 4:11 AM EST
    SaDDam Isn't dead. That was a close = .
    Just imagine. Anyways. I believe the death of SaDDam will be the Death of the Eastern Seaboard. Threats have already been made to the Civil forces defense labatory in DC of possible mass web (the internet) attacks. Thus meaning our civil defense will drop and our electronical defense will malfuntion. Keep in mind that they are not dumb, and will prove this. ^;^
    Reply to this comment
    by randalds December 30, 2006 2:41 AM EST
    Yeah I love the ignorant headline too! I mean violence in Iraq? Who'd have thought that was possible! Most likely it'll be just another day, which means 3 or 4 of our troops will die, there'll be a dozen or so bombings and they'll find 40 or 50 more tortured bodies. Just another day in Bush's screw-up.
    Reply to this comment
    by xfredmenzies December 30, 2006 2:16 AM EST
    NO WAY! WHAT A HEADLINE!
    Reply to this comment
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