February 2007 Al-Saydiya Market Bombing
Casualties and aftermath
The attacks killed at least 135 and injured 339 others, making it the deadliest attack since the Sadr City bombings of 23 November 2006. The blast was the worst of four massive bomb attacks in the preceding three weeks, all targeting dense Shi'ite areas in Baghdad and Al Hillah, including an attack on 22 January 2007 in another central Baghdad market that killed at least 88 and injured more than 160. The same market was hit by a series of car bombs on 2 December 2006, which killed more than 50 people. After the explosion, the closest hospital was quickly overwhelmed with patients affected by the blast. A Health Ministry official said the death toll was likely to rise significantly. The Iraqi Interior Ministry estimated that about 1,000 people had been killed throughout Iraq in the preceding week due to gunbattles, drive-by shootings and bomb attacks.
Timing of the attacks
According to police, the attacker was driving a truck carrying food when the explosives detonated, destroying stores and stalls that had been set up in the busy outdoor Sadriyah market. Many people were looking to purchase food before a curfew scheduled for that evening; it is likely the suicide bombers planned this in order to cause maximum casualties.
See also
References
- ^ "Terror takes toll on market, vendors". The Washington Times. 7 February 2007. Archived from the original on 8 February 2007. Retrieved 7 February 2007.
- ^ Oppel, Jr., Richard A.; Qais Mizher (3 February 2007). "Dozens Killed in Baghdad Bombing". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 16 December 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2007.
- ^ "121 Killed As Baghdad Market Obliterated". ABC news. 3 February 2007. Archived from the original on 5 February 2007. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
- ^ "Iraqi Interior Ministry estimates 1,000 killed in one week". CNN. 4 February 2007. Archived from the original on 6 February 2007. Retrieved 4 February 2007.
- ^ Gamel, Kim (3 February 2007). "Suicide bomber kills 121 in Baghdad". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 3 February 2007.
External links
- [1] BBC photo site