Police Say At Least 28 Killed In Baghdad Blast

29 December 2004 -- Iraqi police said today that at least 28 people -- including at least seven policemen -- were killed in an explosion in western Baghdad overnight.
Officials are quoted as saying the blast occurred as police were conducting a raid on a house in the Ghazaliya neighborhood, where militants were suspected of hiding.

Reports said the blast destroyed the house, and five nearby houses were also destroyed.

At least 36 people were reported killed yesterday in a series of raids, bombings, and shooting attacks on Iraqi security forces.

The interim Iraqi National Assembly has appealed for national unity, saying in a written statement that "terrorists" are seeking to harm Iraq as it faces crucial challenges including the 30 January local and national elections.

(Reuters/AP/AFP/dpa)