Huge explosion rocks central Baghdad (convoy of SUVs)

[leftchick]

BAGHDAD, Jan. 19 (Xinhuanet) -- A huge explosion caused by a makeshift bomb struck a convoy of U.S. Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV)in central Baghdad Thursday morning, an Interior Ministry source told Xinhua.

"A roadside bomb went off at about 9:00 a.m. (0600 GMT) in the al-Taiyaran Square near a convoy of four SUVs, usually used by western contractors," the source said on condition of anonymity.

The powerful blast caused some damage to the vehicles without knowing whether there were any casualties, the source said.

US troops immediately cordoned off the area preventing Iraqi police and civilians from approaching the scene, he added. Enditem


http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-01/19/content_4073720.htm

[Scooter24]

1. Why on earth would they prevent Iraqi police

access to the scene? Isn't the whole point to let them do the job so we can get out of their?

Shows how much confidence we have in those forces.

[Oversea Visitor]

2. Track this

I need to catch a later news broadcast on my national TV to confirm is what I heard is right?

[thefloyd]

3. I bet what you heard was correct

and officials are verifying the "report" you heard.

[0007]

4. For the same reason the U.S. won't train the Iraqi to fly planes

The U.S. has much confidence in those forces only in talk to the American people. :crazy:

[malaise]

5. Why??

Locals stay away. This a critical component of democracy and sovereignty a la George Bush :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm:

[TheCowsCameHome]

6. Same reason Iraqi military had no weapons during Cheney visit.

Remember to pictures when Cheney made a stop a few months ago? US provided security while Iraqi army personnel stood there with no weapons.

WE DON'T KNOW WHO WE CAN TRUST OVER THERE.

[Felix Mala]

20. I didn't know that happened... Guess even Cheney isn't believing

the rosey assessments he keeps heaping on us... big, warm, steamy heaps...

[Dr Batsen D Belfry]

7. Not letting Iraqi police in to assist

1) According to friends who have serverd in Iraq, our soldiers usually find people they just trained for Iraqi Police units in the lineups after raids on suspected insurgents. Call it the Saigon Effect
2) No need to advertise casualties to the enemy

DBDB

[truth2power]

19. You beat me to it..

First thing I thought when reading the OP was, why did they keep the Iraqi police away? An important indicator of who's really in charge there.

As for the convoy being composed of "contractors", well.... :evilgrin:

*flame away*

[maddezmom]

8. AP: Bombings on Same Baghdad Street Kill 23

BAGHDAD, Iraq - A suicide attacker detonated an explosive vest in a crowded downtown coffee shop Thursday and another bomb exploded seconds later under a nearby car, killing at least 23 people and wounding 26, police and hospital officials said.

The blasts occurred as the mother of abducted American reporter Jill Carroll appealed for her daughter's release after her captors threatened to kill her if U.S. authorities don't release all Iraqi women in military custody.

An Iraqi official confirmed the government had asked the Americans to free six of the eight Iraqi females in military custody but not as part of a bid to free Carroll, seized in Baghdad on Jan. 7.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060119/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq

[leftchick]

10. Photo... it looks big all right...

from the yahoo story I can not tell if it was the same incident. CNN was reporting tree explosions.



Smoke rises after an explosion near the Al-Tahreer Square, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2006, in central Baghdad, Iraq. Witnesses at the scene say a suicide bomber detonated explosives killing over 15 and injuring at least 25. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)

[MindPilot]

16. Tree explosions?

Must. Resist. Urge. To. Pun.

[Igel]

21. A handy-dandy map of Baghdad shows that

the two squares are a block apart, apparently on Yafa street.

[TheCowsCameHome]

15. Just another day in freedom-loving Iraq.............

[formercia]

9. Don't bunch up

basic rule of combat. Don't give the enemy a juicy target of opportunity.

[BlueManDude]

11. It's a freedom bomb

just spreadin' all around.

[alcibiades_mystery]

12. Oy vey

"The powerful blast caused some damage to the vehicles without knowing whether there were any casualties, the source said."

That's a doozy of a dangling participle there. The powerful blast doesn't know whether there are any casualties? Then again, I guess this person writes English better thn I write Chinese...

[rodeodance]

13. only good news on tv as i flip around

[rodeodance]

14. and also in Irarel --per msnbc just now

[The Stranger]

17. Mercenaries.

[DemInDistress]

18. confirmed by our friends at al jazeera

http://english.aljazeera.net/HomePage