Suicide attacks kill at least 48 in Iraq

[zabet]

Suicide attacks kill at least 48 in Iraq

By BARBARA SURK, Associated Press Writer Barbara Surk, Associated Press Writer – Sun Jul 18, 1:24 pm ET

BAGHDAD – A suicide bomber ripped through a line of anti-al-Qaida Sunni fighters waiting to collect their paychecks near an Iraqi military base as nearly 50 people were killed in violence west of Baghdad.

The attack is the deadliest this year against the groups that turned against the terror network amid an apparent campaign by insurgents to undermine confidence in the government security forces and their allies.

The attacks on the Awakening Council members highlighted the daunting security challenges the country faces as the U.S. works to withdraw all combat troops in Iraq.

The first attack Sunday morning by a single bomber with an explosive vest killed at least 45 people and wounded more than 40 at a checkpoint near a military base in the mostly Sunni district of Radwaniya southwest of Baghdad.

(snip)

In the second attack, a suspected militant stormed into a local Awakening Council headquarters in the far western town of Qaim near the Syrian border and opened fire on those inside.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/ml_iraq;_ylt=AvhV_7MIKa0oEbwXYUfj_JvjgIh4;_ylu=X3oDMTJhbnFjcTlqBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwNzE4L21sX2lyYXEEY3BvcwM0BHBvcwM0BHNlYwN5bl90b3Bfc3RvcmllcwRzbGsDc3VpY2lkZWF0dGFj