Dual Bombing In Baghdad Kills At Least Seven

(RFE/RL) 7 February 2006 -- Two bombs exploded minutes apart in central Baghdad today, killing at least seven people and wounding some 20 others.

Police said the first bomb, placed near a CD vendor's stand, killed at least three people. Minutes later, a second bomb killed four more people, including one police officer.

Also today, the U.S. military said four U.S. Marines were killed by explosions in the western Al-Anbar governorate over the past few days.

The military also said that on 6 February Iraqi forces, backed by U.S. helicopters, detained at least 26 suspected insurgents in a village near Salman Pak, southeast of Baghdad.

The military said the operation targeted insurgents planning attacks on Shi'ite Muslim pilgrims traveling to Karbala for a religious festival that climaxes on 9 February.

(compiled from agency reports)