Baghdad pet market struck by deadly blast

updated 3:56 p.m. ET Nov. 23, 2007

BAGHDAD - Two bombs exploded hours apart Friday in a central Baghdad pet market and a police checkpoint in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, killing 26 people and wounding dozens, officials said.

The attacks were among the deadliest in recent weeks, underscoring warnings by senior U.S. commanders that extremists still pose a threat to Iraq’s fragile security despite a downturn in violence since a U.S.-Iraqi security plan began in mid-February.

The blast in the capital’s popular weekly al-Ghazl animal bazaar occurred just before 9 a.m., shattering the festive atmosphere as people strolled past the stalls.

At least 13 people were killed and nearly 60 wounded, including four policemen, according to police and hospital officials. Several shops also were damaged.

About 1:30 p.m. in Mosul, a suicide car bomber struck a police checkpoint, killing three policemen and 10 civilians, said police Brig. Gen. Mohammed al-Wakaa.

The al-Ghazl market, where sellers peddle birds, dogs, cats, sheep, goats and exotic animals such as snakes and monkeys, has been targeted in the past. On Jan. 26, 15 people were killed when a bomb hidden in a box of pigeons exploded as shoppers gathered around it.

Blast shatters increased feeling of security
Friday’s blast was particularly significant because it dealt a blow to an increased feeling of confidence among Iraqis about the recent calm in the capital and surrounding areas.

Brig. Gen. Qassim al-Moussawi, the Iraqi military spokesman for Baghdad, said the explosives were hidden in a box carrying pigeons and other small birds.

“The security situation is moving in the right direction toward the better, but there are still pockets that make use of such opportunities as the presence of different kinds of animals and birds to carry out the ugliest crimes,” he told Iraqi state television.

The market has regained popularity after the lifting of a four-hour Friday driving ban to protect prayer services from car bombings. The Iraqi government lifted the weekly ban in September, citing the improving security situation.

A local storeowner who would only give his name as Abu Zainab said he had only reopened his business two weeks ago.

“I was reluctant to open it after lifting the curfew because of security concerns,” he said of his cleaning supply store that is about 150 yards from the blast site.

“Today, the view of many young men coming with pets, colorful fish in aquariums and dogs was very encouraging and cheerful,” he said. “There were also teenagers selling sandwiches and tea in wheeled carts giving the impression that life is back to normal again, but about 9 o’clock, we heard the sound of an explosion.”

He described a scene of chaos, with birds flying through smoke as the bodies of young men who had been killed and wounded lay on the ground.

“We helped evacuate some of them, then the Iraqi police and army came and told us to leave because they feared another explosion could take place,” he said.

Vendor feels deceived
Amir Aziz, a 22-year-old pigeon vendor who was wounded by shrapnel, said he was in the middle of a transaction when the blast occurred.

“Today, the market was very crowded and we were happy about that,” he said. “The Iraqi security officials have deceived us by their statements that the situation is 80 percent better. People believed them and began to go out thinking that it would be safe. I think that the situation will become worse again.”

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