Three car bombs kill 15 in Shi'ite area of Baghdad

BAGHDAD, Dec 30 (Reuters) Three car bombs in quick succession killed 15 people and wounded 25 more today in Hurriya, a now mainly Shi'ite district of Baghdad, an interior ministry source said.

Earlier the source had reported one of the car bombs killed eight people and wounded 18.

The attack came the same day as Saddam Hussein was hanged for crimes against humanity, prompting fears of a violent backlash by his supporters among his fellow Sunni Arabs.

A formerly mixed neighbourhood, Hurriya has become increasingly dominated by Shi'ites as Sunni Arabs have been driven out amid sectarian threats and attacks that have effected both sects in different parts of Baghdad.

REUTERS AKJ VV1919