Iraq: 7 killed, 17 injured in 2 separate attacks

Baghdad, Jan 10: Seven people were killed while 17 were injured in two separate bomb explosions in Iraq on Thursday.

The first incident took place in the predominantly Shiite neighbourhood of Hurriyah where a car laden with explosives blew up near a bus stop. Passengers were catching rides for their respective destinations when the tragedy struck. Five people were killed while 15 were injured, police sources said.

Several minibuses and cars were also damaged in the attack. Some of the houses near the site were also damaged. Security officials cordoned off the area while firefighters cleaned up the area. No outfit claimed responsibility for the attack.

In the second incident, a roadside bomb targetted the convoy of the head of Diyala University, Fadhil al-Dulaimi, while he was heading to his office in Baquba city, located 60 kilometres northeast of the national capital. Two bodyguards were killed while two others were injured. Al-Dulaimi escaped unhurt, however.

The fresh violence has erupted amid the growing sense of discontent among the Sunnis over alleged discrimination by the rulers led by the minority Shiites. Protests took place at Sunni areas in Anbar province and other parts in the wake of the arrests of bodyguards provided to Finance Minister Rafia al-Issawi, one of the government's senior Sunni officials.

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