Suicide bombing hits Iraq military celebration

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Suicide bombing hits Iraq military celebration
By Jamie Gumbrecht and Hussein Khadim | McClatchy Newspapers
Posted on Sunday, January 6, 2008

BAGHDAD — A suicide bomber wearing the camouflage uniform and flag emblem of an Iraqi Army soldier blew himself up Sunday near a celebration commemorating the military's founding.

Three soldiers restrained the bomber as he tried to push his way inside the party where people were dancing and singing, but his suicide vest detonated, killing all three. Another guard and a civilian standing nearby also were killed, and at least four more people were injured, the U.S. military said.

It was the deadliest of several attacks on Sunday that targeted military members celebrating the 87th anniversary of the army's founding and people enjoying the holiday off work and school.

A group that promotes unity in Iraq held the celebration inside Karrada, one of Baghdad's safest neighborhoods, home to Sunnis, Shiites and Christians. As Iraqi soldiers began firing their weapons in response, people ducked and ran from the area, leaving behind piles of broken glass, overturned furniture and spilled cans of soft drinks. Pools of blood and body parts still stained the street outside the house hours later. The remains of the bomber and his shredded uniform lay in a garbage bag nearby.

"It was a terrible moment, seeing the soldiers' blood covering the street on their day," said Seif Ahmed, a member of Iraqi Unity Association, which sponsored the celebration. "I have no idea why something like that happens and on this day."


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