Coordinated blasts hit Baghdad; kill at least 103

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Coordinated blasts hit Baghdad; kill at least 103
By BRIAN MURPHY
Associated Press Writer
Dec 8, 7:00 AM EST

BAGHDAD (AP) -- A series of coordinated attacks struck Baghdad Tuesday, including three car bombs that blew up near government sites. At least 103 were killed and 197 wounded in the worst wave of violence in the capital in more than a month, authorities said.

A total of four attacks, which also included a suicide car bomb on a police patrol, showed the ability of insurgents to strike high-profile targets in the heart of Baghdad and marked the third time since August that government buildings were targeted with multiple blasts that brought massive bloodshed.

It also was another embarrassment to Iraqi forces in their expanding role as front-line security as U.S. forces plan their withdrawal. The U.S. military has sent some troops and forensic equipment to assist the Iraqis in the aftermath, said Army Master Sgt. Nicholas Conner, a military spokesman.

Overall violence has dropped sharply around Iraq in the past year, though insurgents have stepped up attacks at government sites in recent months. The bombings marked the most serious spate of violence in Baghdad since twin car bombs on Oct. 25 struck outside Baghdad administration offices, killing at least 155. In August, suicide bombers hit the finance and foreign ministries, killing more than 100.

Iraqi officials blamed the October attacks on loyalists to Saddam Hussein's banned Baathist Party - even bringing out three suspects on national television who gave what officials termed confessions.


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