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:: 3.03.2004 ::
The violence continues Five Large Explosions Rumble Baghdad
15 minutes ago
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Five large explosions rumbled through the center of Baghdad late Wednesday, and sirens sounded from the green zone where the headquarters of the U.S.-led occupation authority is located.
The blasts, which happened in quick succession just after 8 p.m., came nearly two-and-a-half hours after two explosions were heard. The blasts were followed by a siren and a warning in English to "take cover."
The U.S. military press office said no planned detonations of confiscated weapons had been planned but officials had no information where the blasts occurred. In related news, the US is increasing its military presence in Africa: " [Air Force Gen. Charles Wald] said there were specific terrorist threats in Africa at the moment, which he declined to characterize. But the United States is also convinced there will be more threats in the future."
Update on Iraq causualties As of Tuesday, March 2, 549 U.S. service members have died since the beginning of military operations in Iraq, according to the Department of Defense. Of those, 378 died as a result of hostile action and 171 died of non-hostile causes, the department said. Tthe nine other countries who have invested a military presence in Iraq have reported a total of 94 additional deaths. Also, "...2,727 U.S. service members have been injured as a result of hostile action."
Suprisingly, al-Qaida has denied responsibility for the Tuesday attacks on Shiite pilgrims There is some disagreement about just how many died in the attacks; the Iraqi governing council puts the count at 271, while the US at first said 143 and now claims only 117 were killed.
:: Deb 9:50 AM :: permalink ::
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