Special report: Tension escalates in Iraq

 

A man waves a pistol as residents celebrate the victory of Iraq's soccer team over South Korea during the semi-final of the 2007 AFC Asian Cup soccer tournament, in Baghdad July 25, 2007. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

    BAGHDAD, July 25 (Xinhua) -- Two suicide car bombings struck Iraqi soccer fans taking to the streets to celebrate Iraqi football team's victory in Baghdad on Wednesday, killing at least 55 people and injuring 135 others, police said.

    An attacker detonated his explosives-laden car among a crowd of jubilant Iraqi football fans celebrating in Mansour district in western Baghdad after Iraq defeated South Korea 4-3 on penalties and made it into the 14th Asian Cup final, a police source told Xinhua.

    The deadly bombing killed at least 30 people and wounding 75others, according to the source. Earlier, the source put the death toll at 10, with 60 others injured.

    In eastern Baghdad, another suicide car bombing attacked an Iraqi Army checkpoint in Ghader district, killing at least 25people and injuring 60 other, the source said, adding that most of the victims are soccer fans.

    The historic victory of Iraqi football team sparked wild celebrations in Baghdad. Many citizens rushed into the streets and fired in the air while motorists honking their horns. Thousands of fans gathered in central Baghdad to celebrate, singing and chanting "Iraq, Iraq!"

    After Iraqi football players entered the semi-finals of the Asia Cup on July 21, gunfire of celebrations killed two people and wounded 15 others in Baghdad.

Residents celebrate the victory of Iraq's soccer team over South Korea during the semi-final of the 2007 AFC Asian Cup soccer tournament, in Baghdad July 25, 2007. (Xinhua Photo)
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Wave of violence kills at least 24 people in Iraq on Monday

    BAGHDAD, July 23 (Xinhua) -- A new wave of suicide attacks and car bombings across Iraq killed at least 24 people and wounded some 60 others on Monday, while Baghdad is preparing to host a second round of talks between the U.S. and Iran on Iraqi security.

    A series of car bombings rocked Baghdad in the day, killing at least 17 Iraqis and wounding 57 others, shaping a setback in the five-month U.S. and Iraqi security plan which aimed at curbing insurgency and sectarian violence.