Female Suicide Bombers Kill At Least 53, Wound 94 In Baghdad

[Hissyspit]

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/02/01/iraq.main/index.html?section=cnn_topstories&eref=yahoo

Female suicide bombers kill dozens in Baghdad markets

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Female suicide bombers blew themselves up at two markets in Baghdad, killing at least 53 people and wounding 94 more, authorities told CNN. The first blast happened about 10:30 a.m. in a central Baghdad market that The Associated Press reports sells birds.

It killed at least eight people and wounded 14 others, officials said, though casualty figures varied as authorities tried to determine the scope of the blast. About half an hour later, another suicide bomber set off an explosive at an animal market in Baghdad, killing at least 45 people and wounding 80 others, police said.

The second bomb detonated at the Al Ghazil pet market, a popular destination where people buy and sell cats, dogs, monkeys and other animals. Attackers have struck the market on Fridays -- the only day it's open -- several times previously.

A bombing in January 2007 killed 15 and wounded 52 at the pet market, while an attack last November killed 13 and wounded 58.

The violence ripped through Baghdad after a period during which attacks and deaths dropped during the U.S.-led increase in troop strength called the "surge."

There have been female suicide bombers in other recent attacks.

MORE

I would point out, no mention yet of how many companion animals were killed.

[slowry]

1. Ralph Nader did this. n/t

[chelsea0011]

2. You jest but,

As the bombings increase and the election gets closer, I betcha some of cable news finest losers will say the increase in violence is because the Dems may win the WH. Faux will be all over this. Terrorists "feel emboldened" will be a mantra in the coming months.

[Hissyspit]

3. UPDATE: At Least 64 Dead In Baghdad Market Bombs

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080201/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_violence

At least 64 dead in Baghdad market bombs

By HAMID AHMED, Associated Press Writer
BAGHDAD - A female suicide bomber blew herself up at the main pet market in central Baghdad, killing at least 46 people and wounding dozens in the deadliest bombing to strike the capital since 30,000 more American troops began flooding into central Iraq last spring, police said.

About 20 minutes later, a second female suicide bomber struck another bird market in a predominantly Shiite area in southeastern Baghdad. That blast killed at least 18 people and wounded 25, police said.

The attacks shortly before the weekly Islamic call to prayer resounded across the capital were the latest in a series of violent incidents that have been chipping away at Iraqi confidence in the permanence of recent security gains.

The first blast occurred about 10:20 a.m. when the woman detonated explosives hidden under her traditional black robe at the central al-Ghazl market. The pet bazaar had recently re-emerged as a popular shopping venue as Baghdad security improved and a Friday ban on driving was lifted.

Firefighters scooped up debris scattered among pools of blood, clothing and pigeon carcasses.

[Disturbed]

6. Why did these women do this?

I guess we will never know but I am interested in what fellow DUers
think about why this has happened?

[leftchick]

8. perhaps this has something to do with it?

Iraq has million-woman social time-bomb

http://www.reuters.com/article/featuredCrisis/idUSKAM744152


BAGHDAD, Jan 31 (Reuters) - Every week, letters from Iraqi widows spill across Samira al-Moussawi's desk. One wrote to ask whether she should spend what scant money she gets on her infant or on school books for her older son.

The member of parliament and head of a parliamentary women's committee is at her wits' end as to how to answer the desperate pleas from what could be as many as one to two million women.

Violence has fallen sharply across Iraq, but the number of women left without breadwinners is mounting, and with only a fraction of them receiving financial support from the government, officials fear the consequences could be explosive.

"What shall the widow do, deviate from what is right?" Moussawi said. "Terrorist groups exploit the destitute."

[Karenina]

9. Same reasons suicides have spiked

amongst American troops...

[flashl]

10. Maybe because they don't like 'our' type of liberation ...

The Rape of Iraq and Other Sexual Matters

The sexual assault on women in Iraq:

• rapes by American and coalition forces;
  
• rapes by the Iraqi police and military;
  
• rapes by Iraqi civilian men;
  
• rapes of women and girls detained in prisons;
  
• gang rapes;
  
• women forced into starvation prostitution—either for the occupying forces or for Iraqis;
  
• the increase of brothels in Baghdad and Basra as a result of the occupation;
  
• the trafficking of women and girls into prostitution by criminal gangs, either within Iraq or in surrounding countries;
  
• the way families are forced to sell daughters for survival; any ´survival sex´ women and girls are engaged in due to desperation;
  
• ´survival sex´ forced upon the refugee population (2 million in Iraq--2 million in surrounding countries);

[leftchick]

4. nothing on CNN this AM.

did I miss it?

[Hissyspit]

7. They just reported it as breaking news - just now. n/t

[malaise]

5. but but but

the surge is working swimmingly.

Arrest Bush and Cheney!

[Hissyspit]

11. .