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Scores of Iraqis Killed in Terror Attacks

At least 127 people were killed Wednesday, in a series of terror attacks, in a number of neighborhoods, in Baghdad, Iraq`s bleeding capitol. According to an Iraqi official, the most serious attack took place in the al-Sadriya market, in a predominantly Shiite area, in central Baghdad, which claimed the lives of at least 82 people. Sources at the Iraqi police said the car bomb, which exploded in the market injuring over a hundred people, was detonated next to a group of Shiite laborers. Among the injured are many women and children.

An hour before this attack took place, the lives of the Shiite inhabitants of the poor Sadr City were interrupted by a car bomb, killing more than 35 people, injuring more than 40. According to a witness, the car bomb was detonated at one of the gates in the entrance to the neighborhood. Most of this attack`s casualties are civilians, although several Iraqi soldiers and policeman were killed and injured as well. In two other bombings that took place the same day, near a local hospital, in the Karrada business center, in central Baghdad, and a minibus attack, in Risafi, northwestern Baghdad, killed at least 15 people, according to the Iraqi police.

In the last three months, American and Iraqi soldiers have been cracking down on insurgents in Baghdad, in an attempt to stabilize the Iraqi capitol, in which, each day, tens of citizens are killed. "We`ve seen both inspiring progress and too much evidence that we still face many grave challenges," Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell, U.S. military spokesman, said. "We`ve always said securing Baghdad would not be easy."