Explosions, shootings shatter calm in Iraq

[cal04]

Seven Shiite workers were gunned down Saturday in a religiously mixed area of west Baghdad, and explosions in the heart of the capital shattered a one-day calm after a ban on private vehicles expired.

The United States was moving to bolster U.S. troop strength in Baghdad to cope with escalating violence between Sunnis and Shiites.

The seven Shiites died in a drive-by shooting at noon in the Furat neighborhood near Baghdad International Airport, police Lt. Maitham Abdul-Razzaq said. Two other workers were wounded.

Two large explosions in eastern Baghdad came about 20 minutes apart at midmorning. One targeted an Iraqi police patrol, but killed a civilian. The other occurred at the Rasheed military camp; there were no casualty reports.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060722/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq

[MiniMe]

1. "calm in Iraq"

What calm in Iraq?

[TheCowsCameHome]

2. Calm? What is the definition of calm in Iraq?

You've got to be kidding me.

[ck4829]

4. Because of a curfew?

Associating 'calm' with Curfew, unbelievable.

[xchrom]

3. lol -- shatter calm?

since we invaded -- it's been calm, ever?

fuckin lunatic reporters.

[nealmhughes]

5. This headline writer has a wicked sense of humor!