11 February 2005 -- A truck bomb killed at least 13 people today outside a Shi'a mosque northeast of Baghdad.
The attack happened in the town of Balad Ruz, 75 kilometers northeast of Baghdad. Witnesses say the truck, parked outside the mosque and loaded with vegetables, exploded when police approached it.
In Baghdad earlier today, gunmen opened fire on a crowd at a bakery, killing at least nine people.
Today's bloodshed follows the more than 50 people reportedly killed in insurgent-related violence across Iraq yesterday.
In other news, U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is in Iraq today on a previously unannounced visit.
Speaking in the northern city of Mosul, Rumsfeld said it will take time to build an Iraqi security force capable of dealing with the insurgency in the country.
"They [Iraqi security forces] are developing confidence and skill," Rumsfeld said. "There is no question about it. And once they have that confidence, and that capacity and capability, our forces, coalition forces, will be able to go home, and go home with the honor that we will have earned and, I should add, go home with the gratitude of a grateful nation."
(compliled from wire reports)
For the latest news and analysis on Iraq, see RFE/RL's webpage on "The New Iraq".
In Baghdad earlier today, gunmen opened fire on a crowd at a bakery, killing at least nine people.
Today's bloodshed follows the more than 50 people reportedly killed in insurgent-related violence across Iraq yesterday.
In other news, U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is in Iraq today on a previously unannounced visit.
Speaking in the northern city of Mosul, Rumsfeld said it will take time to build an Iraqi security force capable of dealing with the insurgency in the country.
"They [Iraqi security forces] are developing confidence and skill," Rumsfeld said. "There is no question about it. And once they have that confidence, and that capacity and capability, our forces, coalition forces, will be able to go home, and go home with the honor that we will have earned and, I should add, go home with the gratitude of a grateful nation."
(compliled from wire reports)
For the latest news and analysis on Iraq, see RFE/RL's webpage on "The New Iraq".