Suicide bomb kills 5 near Iraq customs point

[bemildred]

MOSUL, Iraq (Reuters) - A suicide car bomber killed at least five people and wounded 30 at a customs checkpoint near Iraq's border with Syria on Monday, an Iraqi official said.

The victims at the town of Rabia in northwest Iraq were mostly civilians, Nassar al-Rakaad, chief administrator of the town said by telephone.

Some of the wounded were in critical condition, he said.

Rakaad said the suicide bomber was trying to drive his van through a customs post to reach U.S. troops on the side of the checkpoint near Syria when he blew up.

Reuters

[cliss]

1. I wonder if any were Americans.

If so, it's interesting to read the Pentagon's position. They always hold back on the name, "pending notification to next of kin", but then then names have a way of not being released.

Tragic, any way you look at it. So needless.

[deadparrot]

2. How awful.

I have to admit, the numbers have stopped having meaning, really. I mean, 70 people here, 30 more there...they all seem to run together. I've become so desensitized. It's a sad day.

:(