Security
Iraq: President condemns Kirkuk bomb attack
Baghdad, 1 July (AKI) - Iraqi president Jalal Talabani on Wednesday condemned the deadly bomb attack that killed at least 33 people and injured scores of others in northern Kirkuk. Talabani said the bombing which targeted a market in the Shurja district late Tuesday, would not stop the country from fighting militants.
The bomb attack took place as Iraqis were celebrating the withdrawal of US troops from major cities including Baghdad.
“We condemn this criminal act which killed several civilians,” he said in a statement cited by Voices of Iraq news agency.
“This terrorist act will not deter Iraqis from fighting terrorism and terrorists and to foil their conspiracies."
The Kirkuk attack occurred 10 days after a truck bomb killed more than 70 in the city's deadliest attack in over a year.
Iraqi and US troops have been on high alert for attacks during the withdrawal, which was declared a national holiday.
The director of Kirkuk health department, Sabah al-Dawdi, had said that the number of casualties from the explosion had risen to 33 with another 93 injured.
More than 750,000 Iraqi forces were deployed in Iraqi cities, replacing US troops which have withdrawn to their bases outside the major cities.
Earlier on Tuesday, the US military announced that four soldiers had died from wounds they received during "combat" in Iraq, without disclosing any further details.
A car bomb exploded in a crowded outdoor market and the explosion caused widespread damage to nearby buildings.
The bombing marred what had otherwise been a festive day as Iraqis commemorated the newly declared National Sovereignty Day with military parades and marching bands.
US combat operations across Iraq are due to end by September 2010 and all US troops will leave the country by the end of 2011 under a security pact signed last year between the US and Iraqi governments.
The withdrawal comes two years after the US "surge" of extra troops between February and June 2007, which saw US troop levels in Iraq reach about 170,000.
At least 4,321 US soldiers have died in war-torn Iraq since the allied invasion of the country in March 2003.
The bomb attack took place as Iraqis were celebrating the withdrawal of US troops from major cities including Baghdad.
“We condemn this criminal act which killed several civilians,” he said in a statement cited by Voices of Iraq news agency.
“This terrorist act will not deter Iraqis from fighting terrorism and terrorists and to foil their conspiracies."
The Kirkuk attack occurred 10 days after a truck bomb killed more than 70 in the city's deadliest attack in over a year.
Iraqi and US troops have been on high alert for attacks during the withdrawal, which was declared a national holiday.
The director of Kirkuk health department, Sabah al-Dawdi, had said that the number of casualties from the explosion had risen to 33 with another 93 injured.
More than 750,000 Iraqi forces were deployed in Iraqi cities, replacing US troops which have withdrawn to their bases outside the major cities.
Earlier on Tuesday, the US military announced that four soldiers had died from wounds they received during "combat" in Iraq, without disclosing any further details.
A car bomb exploded in a crowded outdoor market and the explosion caused widespread damage to nearby buildings.
The bombing marred what had otherwise been a festive day as Iraqis commemorated the newly declared National Sovereignty Day with military parades and marching bands.
US combat operations across Iraq are due to end by September 2010 and all US troops will leave the country by the end of 2011 under a security pact signed last year between the US and Iraqi governments.
The withdrawal comes two years after the US "surge" of extra troops between February and June 2007, which saw US troop levels in Iraq reach about 170,000.
At least 4,321 US soldiers have died in war-torn Iraq since the allied invasion of the country in March 2003.
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