BAGHDAD, March 7, 2007

More Bloodshed For GIs, Iraqi Civilians

Cafe Bomb Kills Dozens, 3 American Soldiers Killed, More Attacks Against Pilgrims

  • Play CBS Video Video Iraq Shiite Pilgrims Murdered

    Iraqi pilgrims on a religious journey are being targeted. Another 10 were killed Wednesday, a day after bomb blasts killed more than 100 Shiites. Aleen Sirgany reports.

  • Video Iraq: Shiite Pilgrims Attacked

    A total of 100 Shiite pilgrims were slaughtered by suicide bombers on their way to a religious festival in Iraq. Allen Pizzey reports.

  • Video Over 100 Killed In Iraq Blasts

    Over 100 Shiite pilgrims were killed while on a religious trek south of Baghdad, one day after the deadliest day for U.S. troops in over a month. Aleen Sirgany reports.

    • Soldiers from Bravo Troop, 2nd, Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, Iraqi soldiers and Iraqi National Police officers set out on a joint foot patrol in the Shiite enclave of Sadr City in Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, March 7, 2007.

      Soldiers from Bravo Troop, 2nd, Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, Iraqi soldiers and Iraqi National Police officers set out on a joint foot patrol in the Shiite enclave of Sadr City in Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, March 7, 2007.  (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)

    • A U.S. soldier of the 69th squadron, 3rd brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, stands guard by a bullet-riddled wall of an abandoned Shiite family's home just outside Muqdadiyah, Iraq, March 5, 2007.

      A U.S. soldier of the 69th squadron, 3rd brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, stands guard by a bullet-riddled wall of an abandoned Shiite family's home just outside Muqdadiyah, Iraq, March 5, 2007.  (AP Photo/Dusan Vranic)

    • An Iraqi Army commando guards Muslim Shiite pilgrims marching towards the shrine city of Karbala, about 65 miles south of Baghdad, on March 6, 2007.

      An Iraqi Army commando guards Muslim Shiite pilgrims marching towards the shrine city of Karbala, about 65 miles south of Baghdad, on March 6, 2007.  (Getty Images/Mohammad Sawaf)

    • Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division and Iraqi National policemen patrol the Shiite enclave of Sadr City in Baghdad on March 6, 2007.

      Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division and Iraqi National policemen patrol the Shiite enclave of Sadr City in Baghdad on March 6, 2007.  (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)

    • A relative of a victim grieves a day after bomb blast at book market, central Baghdad, March 6, 2007.

      A relative of a victim grieves a day after bomb blast at book market, central Baghdad, March 6, 2007.  (AP Photo)

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  • Interactive Battle For Iraq

    The government, the insurgency, key players, background and photos.

  • Interactive New Plan For Iraq

    Key elements of the plan, excerpts from the president's speech, reaction and more.

  • Interactive American Heroes

    Profiles of U.S. soldiers who've died in Iraq, a look at the war's toll and pictures of mourning.

(CBS/AP)  A powerful bomb killed three American soldiers trying to clear explosives from a highway near Baghdad on Wednesday, and a suicide attacker blew himself up in a cafe northeast of the capital, killing 30 people and wounding dozens.

The deadly assaults occurred as Iraqi security forces struggled to protect more than 1 million Shiite pilgrims streaming toward the holy city of Karbala for annual religious rituals — and facing a string of attacks along the way that have claimed more than 150 lives in two days.

They included 22 people — 12 police commandos and 10 civilians — who died Wednesday in a car bombing at a checkpoint in southern Baghdad set up to protect pilgrims, the U.S. military said. An Iraqi TV cameraman working for a Shiite-owned station was among the civilian dead, his station said.

One American soldier was wounded in the attack on the bombing-clearing team on a major highway just north of the capital, the U.S. military said. The names of the victims were withheld until their families are notified.

American troops have stepped up efforts to clear and secure major highways around the capital as part of the Baghdad security crackdown, which began last month.

But the operation, which will eventually see an additional 17,000 U.S. combat troops in the capital, has so far failed to intimidate Sunni insurgents, who have retaliated with attacks outside the city, including those against Shiite pilgrims.

At least 13 U.S. troops have been killed in Iraq since Sunday, all of them in Sunni areas north and east of Baghdad. Nine Americans died Monday, the deadliest day for the U.S. military here in nearly a month.

The suicide attack took place near sunset at a popular cafe in Balad Ruz, 45 miles northeast of Baghdad, where Sunni extremists have been forcing Shiites to flee through a campaign of assassination and intimidation.

A senior police officer said dozens of people were gathered around the cafe enjoying mild, sunny weather when the attacker struck, killing 30 people and wounding 25. The officer spoke on condition of anonymity, fearing for his personal safety.

Iraqi security forces have been bracing for more trouble this weekend at the climax of Shiite religious rites marking the end of a 40-day mourning period for Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. Hussein's death in a 7th-century battle near Karbala cemented the schism between Sunnis and Shiites.

Hundreds of thousands of Shiite pilgrims were streaming by bus, car and foot into Karbala, 50 miles south of Baghdad, many of them marching behind banners affirming their reverence for Imam Hussein.

The targeted violence came a day after two suicide bombers exploded themselves among pilgrims lining up at a checkpoint, killing at least 120 people and wounding about 190, police and hospital officials said.

In other developments:

  • The Pentagon says it has approved the new U.S. commander in Iraq's request for more military police in Baghdad. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says General David Petraeus asked for 2,200 military police to handle what he expects will be a big bump in detainees during the Baghdad security push. That's on top of the 21,500 combat troops the president is sending to the capital, and the 2,400 others designated to support them.

  • Iran's foreign minister said his government would send a delegation to an international conference in Baghdad this weekend. The conference of Iraq's neighbors and the Big Five of the U.N. Security Council will be the first public encounter between U.S. and Iranian envoys since late 2004.

  • A police lieutenant and his 15-year-old son were shot dead in their car late Tuesday, police said, on a road in Diwaniyah, 80 miles south of Baghdad.

  • In Ramadi, the provincial capital of western Anbar, masked gunmen killed a butcher in his shop, police said.

    Continued



    © MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
    Add a Comment See all 64 Comments
    by baldfrog-2009 March 9, 2007 12:12 PM EST
    U.S. Gen. David Petraeus and old wooshy bushy's command have asked for more troops yet again.They blew this from the start along with v.p.d.c. and that idiot Mr.Paul Wolfowitz.
    Now in February of 2003 U.S. Army General Eric Shinseki who was fired by Rumsfeld (another idiot) and
    is famous for his remarks to the U.S. Senate Armed Services committee before the war in Iraq in which he said "something in the order of several hundred thousand soldiers" would probably be required for post-war Iraq. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz publicly disagreed with his estimate. Dopes
    When the insurgency took hold in post-war Iraq, Shinseki's comments and their public rejection by the civilian leadership were often cited by those who felt the Bush administration deployed too few troops to Iraq. On November 15, 2006, in testimony before Congress, USCENTCOM CENTCOM Commander Gen. John Abizaid ( former commnder of our forces there said that General Shinseki's estimate had proved correct. [2]
    From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
    So there you go they fired or retired Commander Gen. John Abizaid and General Eric Shinseki who was right from the start.Way to go Commander in Chief Rove and Company. Call out the Texas Air National Guard we need more troops.Have Condi take the point.Yep you guys are doing great.Lets redo Pete Seeger "Your Waist Deep In the Big Sandy and the Big Fool Says to Push On!"


    Reply to this comment
    by lars008-2009 March 8, 2007 5:53 PM EST
    Islamic worldview and the reason why it becomes a calamity in the 21st century

    The Islamic world view of converting the entire human species to Islam at the pain of death is not something novel. It has existed for 1400 years since this cult of death and destruction was founded by Mohammed-ibn-abdallah, the nefarious bandit and murderer in the 7th century in Mecca. What makes this world view a calamity is the fact that Muslim have started acquiring WMD capability off late. While all these centuries, they could carry on with their murder and mayhem only with swords from the 7th century up to the 16th century. So they could be defeated by those who could wield swords better and more so by those who in addition to this managed to recognize the mortal threat to all non-Islamic civilizations that Muslims represented. There have not been very many on this planet who could see through the murderous message of the Quran, that the Muslims robotically believe is the message from some god, to be divinely followed by placing their swords on the necks of all their defeated victims and giving them the choice Islam or death.
    http://www.historyofjihad.org/globaljihad.html
    http://www.historyofjihad.com/sitemap.html
    Reply to this comment
    by cornholio622 March 8, 2007 5:24 PM EST
    People need to realize that this war will never be over until every Muslim extremist is dead. It is a false religion as heinous as National Socialism. Mohammad built a religion around himself to bring his own name glory and to reestablish nomadic, stone age creedos and make them law. That is why Islam is so vile and incomprehensible to westerners. We have been given the true message of God through Christ.
    If Mohammad received a vision in the wilderness, it was probably from the same entity that visited Jesus and Joseph Smith. However, Jesus was the son of God and so, recognised Satan. Islam is the worship of Satan through Mohammad and should be put down like a mad dog.
    Reply to this comment
    by bluestardad March 8, 2007 11:20 AM EST
    How long are we to STAY THE COURSE in Iraq? Many times have Democrats said they will introduce resolutions to end the war but still they fund the war and the Republicans do what they want. America says get our troops out of Iraq! This war was started on a lie, with no planning no health care for our wounded or policy to win the peace with an exit strategy! Democratic Non Binding resolutions are not enough! Democrats keep moving back the date when they will take significant action to stop the war and each time they do nothing but move the date back again to another later date. If this Democratic Leadership cannot get America out of Iraq it is time to change the Democratic Leadership! Bush and Cheney are nothing but liars and war criminals but the Democrats are partakers and just as guilty by their complacency!
    If you think Americas sacrifice is worth it contact your Congress person and tell them http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

    Here is the House Speakers email address: AmericanVoices@mail.house.gov
    Reply to this comment
    by skyk-2009 March 8, 2007 10:56 AM EST
    What's even more funny is that liberals totally brush off the comments by their heroes about Saddam Hussein before we even invaded Iraq. They also brush off the fact that Hillary Clinton praised the Bush administration and our troops for capturing Saddam Hussein, LONG after the entire country new about the WMD thing. Oh how quickly the lib media changes the minds of people.


    Posted by singinrick at 11:18 PM : Mar 07, 2007

    Well well it's RICKY and his wisdom again! ROFLMAO Sparky BEFORE we knew of all the LIES, BEFORE we knew of all the cherry picked intel, over 80% of us supported Sir Lies-A-Lot. The vast majority of us found out the truth and responded by accepting the reality that we were lied to and that there was NO WMD's nor was there any connection to 9/11. The vast majority of us NOW accept the obvious. What the HELL happened to you? LMAO
    Reply to this comment
    by mcvet March 8, 2007 10:50 AM EST
    What we have here is a War started by a VERY Incompetent little Southern Fascist. A War based on FALSE and Misleading evidence. A War that did not have to be because, we now know, the Threat posed by Iraq was a LIE also. Now we must get out of the quagmire or TRAP. It should be obvious by now that the Radical Muslims were far smarter and had far better intel than we did. It's obvious by now that they picked this Southern Fascist to start their attack on America BECAUSE they knew before we did what the IDIOT would do and say. Chances are they have lived in and been involved with Southern Fascist for a long time because the seem to know what Bush is going to do or say before he does.
    Reply to this comment
    by mcvet March 8, 2007 10:45 AM EST
    What's even more funny is that liberals totally brush off the comments by their heroes about Saddam Hussein before we even invaded Iraq. They also brush off the fact that Hillary Clinton praised the Bush administration and our troops for capturing Saddam Hussein, LONG after the entire country new about the WMD thing. Oh how quickly the lib media changes the minds of people.


    Posted by singinrick at 11:18 PM : Mar 07, 2007

    Hey Ricky, do you mean the "Lib Media" that revealed the treatment of our Troops like Animals by the Bush Administration. It's really strange how you people never tell the truth. NEVER. What "Liberal Heros" ever said this war in Iraq was justified? NAME ONE Swastika breath. Why the hatred of Mrs. Clinton? She has constistently said that Bush has been INCOMPETENT in running this war. You use lies and half truths as well if not better than you hero Robertson. The issue you simple minded Bible Thumper is INCOMPETENCE. Let me repeat that so you won't be able to LIE about what I said. The ISSUE is INCOMPETENCE. Got it? Sieg Heil
    Reply to this comment
    by greybeardvet March 8, 2007 4:35 AM EST
    The killing of innocents never seems to stop. The loss of American boys girls is most tragic but the loss of so many Iraqi lives is just as tragic. God, if he exists, certainly does not favor one race or religion over another.

    The dedication of the ***** pilgrims is truly awesome. The fact that they are willing to walk through mine fields to reach their shrines should give us all pause. How many Christians take their faith this seriously? Unfortunately, this same religiosity is what makes the suicide bombers so fearsome. We are dealing with an adversary that we barely understand. And of course, W's pathetic utterances about how they hate us because of our freedom only obscures the truth.

    If the Bush administration had the balls to admit that they didn't understand or care about the Iraqi culture then there would at least be a foundation of honesty to start with. As it now stands everyone knows that Bush and the neo-cons have little respect for Arabs and we are only there to secure the oil. The blabbering about establishing a democracy is false through and through.
    Reply to this comment
    by March 8, 2007 3:44 AM EST
    cbville72 wrote:

    "Bring some facts to the table you jacka$$."

    The irony is that you've just proved seven-pesos right.

    Nice one.
    Reply to this comment
    by March 8, 2007 3:41 AM EST
    cbville72 wrote:

    "Why don't yuo leave the ***$ing country if we're so horrible. Move to France or whatever European country you feel is more "enlightened". That will mean there are more tissues for the women in our country."

    If you love GW Bush so much, why don't you put your money where your mouth is and enlist in the services and do your time in Iraq?

    Or could it be that you're just another Republican coward who wants others to do the fighting for you?

    I think we know the answer to that.
    Reply to this comment
    by March 8, 2007 3:36 AM EST
    cbville72 wrote:

    "Without question, we need to disarm Saddam Hussein. He is a brutal, murderous dictator, leading an oppressive regime ... He presents a particularly grievous threat because he is so consistently prone to miscalculation ... And now he is miscalculating America's response to his continued deceit and his consistent grasp for weapons of mass destruction ... So the threat of Saddam Hussein with weapons of mass destruction is real..."
    - Sen. John F. Kerry (D, MA), Jan. 23. 2003

    So, what you are saying is that John Kerry also fell for the lies told by a drug affected, miscreant who obviously was following his own personal agenda.

    Unfortunately, it appears as though some idiots - such as yourself - still support that drug affected miscreant.

    The only thing that GW Bush has succeeded in is creating more enemies of the US.

    Nice one George.
    Reply to this comment
    by waynabq March 8, 2007 3:07 AM EST
    Can anyone tell me how anyone with a "Support the Troops" bumper sticker is doing anything even the least bit remotely useful to actually help the troops.

    Here's an idea, how about impeaching those lying, corrupt, greedy SOB's *** Cheney and George Bush and bringing the troops home?
    Reply to this comment
    by seven-pesos March 8, 2007 3:07 AM EST
    dixie heros...

    1) john wilkes boothe
    2) pat robertson
    3) jefferson davis
    4) tammy fay bakker
    5) jimmy (**********) swaggart
    6) stonewall jackson
    7) george bush jr.
    8) grand wizard of the k.k.k.
    9) george wallace

    ha,ha,ha.

    war, hate, division, phony christian *****, republcan snakes...

    nothing good comes out of the south!
    Reply to this comment
    by waynabq March 8, 2007 3:06 AM EST
    Can anyone tell me how anyone with a "Support the Troops" bumper sticker is doing anything even the least bit remotely useful to actually help the troops.

    Here's an idea, how about impeaching those lying, corrupt, greedy SOB's *** Cheney and George Bush and bringing the troops home?
    Reply to this comment
    by andrew_693 March 8, 2007 3:06 AM EST
    the funny thing is that where the British were it was even more peaceful before they arrived, and now they want us to believe that it has something to do with them. How retarded is that?. It's impossibloe for me to support the troops, that's so cliche already, especially when we have an army of volunteers, they go because they believed bush's lies. How can anyone support a mislead army that all is doing in Iraq is creating more terrorists for al qaeda. There are more terrorists now than before, I never understood the mentality of those that say that they are fighting in iraq to make us safe here, there is a contradiction in that. The longer our illegitimate presence in Iraq the more wanna be terrorists we motivate, totally worthless mission.
    Reply to this comment
    by andrew_693 March 8, 2007 3:03 AM EST
    the funny thing is that where the British were it was even more peaceful before they arrived, and now they want us to believe that it has something to do with them. How retarded is that?. It's impossibloe for me to support the troops, that's so cliche already, especially when we have an army of volunteers, they go because they believed bush's lies. How can anyone support a mislead army that all is doing in Ira
    Reply to this comment
    by waynabq March 8, 2007 2:59 AM EST
    King of the Retarded

    Leader of the Clueless

    Czar to the Ignorant

    Emperor of the Misinformed

    President of Morons otherwise known as the "30%" of the rest of America

    Some people compare George with Hitler but that would be an insult to Hitler who was a whole lot smarter but I have to hand it to George, he's up there with Hitler as far as being a convincing liar.


    Reply to this comment
    by seven-pesos March 8, 2007 2:55 AM EST
    whenever i go for a walk in the park i always carry my dixie confederate rebel flag...

    so i pick up the mess when the dawg takes a *****.

    ha,ha,ha.

    i ***** on the white trash, redneck, bush loving, war making, phony christian, twisted evangelist, ignorant, fat azzed, dieseased ***** south.

    don't like it? come see me!
    Reply to this comment
    by waynabq March 8, 2007 2:52 AM EST
    Limbaugh, Hannity and O'Rielly are always criticizing the so called "Hollywood" Liberals. Where was their greatest "Conservative" Icon, Ronald Reagan, working before he became governor and president?

    John Wayne is another one of the conservative Icons who embody all that is good about America, the America that can do no wrong and is always the "good guy". Hate to break the news, but John
    Wayne was an "actor" from HOLLYWOOD who played simple characters in simple movies where everything was literally black and white.

    Simple world, simple ideas for the simple minded. Its no wonder Bush holds such appeal for the Limbaugh crowd.
    Reply to this comment
    by cfuchs2 March 8, 2007 2:48 AM EST
    I hope every drop of blood of every brave american soldier and iraqui civilian who has died in Iraq stains every dream of Mr GWB so he can remember the mistakes he made until the day he dies. At least that is the price he must pay for starting this stupid war
    Reply to this comment
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