Car bomb in Baghdad market kills 20 - police

BAGHDAD, Jan 25 (Reuters) A car bomb ripped through a market in the Karrada district of central Baghdad today, killing 20 people and wounding 18 others, a police source said.

The loud blast rattled windows some distance away and sent up a large plume of black smoke.

The car bomb, which was followed by bursts of gunfire, was one of a string of blasts that rocked the capital including some that sparked sirens and warnings in the international Green Zone.

The government is preparing to launch a new security plan aimed at stemming sectarian violence in the capital, but since it was announced this month there have been a series of bombings and no sign of any let up in death squad killings.

Earlier another three people were killed and 10 wounded by a roadside bomb in Baya'a in western Baghdad and a motorbike rigged with explosives blew up at the entrance of the central Shurja market, killing four people and wounding 20, police said.

A car bomb also hit the Mureidi market today afternoon in Sadr City, a Shi'ite stronghold in northeast Baghdad, police said. One person was killed and three wounded.

Two rockets hit the Green Zone, sparking alarms and warnings urging people to take cover. Black smoke was seen rising from the area of the Green Zone.

The Green Zone covers an area of several square miles, housing Iraqi government offices and foreign facilities. Mortar rounds frequently hit the area, and usually do not cause casualties.

REUTERS SY ND2102