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28 Die In Blasts At Pet Market, Checkpoint

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By KIM GAMEL, The Associated Press

Published: November 24, 2007

BAGHDAD - Bombers struck a pet market in central Baghdad and a police checkpoint in the northern city of Mosul on Friday, killing 28 people in two of the deadliest attacks in weeks.

The first blast occurred before 9 a.m. when a bomb hidden in a box of small birds exploded as Iraqis were strolling past animal stalls and bird cages at Baghdad's al-Ghazl market. The market had recently re-emerged as a popular venue as security has increased in the capital.

Police and hospital officials said at least 15 people were killed and 56 wounded, including four policemen. Another 13 people were killed in the Mosul attack, police said.

The Baghdad bombing was the deadliest in the Iraqi capital since Sept. 9, when a suicide car bomber killed 15 people in Sadr City.

The ability of extremists to penetrate the security surrounding one of Baghdad's most popular shopping areas tempered the budding sense of hope in the capital after years of turmoil.

The blast sent dogs scattering in the streets and neglected chicks chirping near pools of blood as vendors rushed to help the wounded.

"Today, the market was very crowded and we were happy about that," said Amir Aziz, a 22-year-old pigeon vendor who was wounded by shrapnel. "The Iraqi security officials have deceived us by their statements that the situation is 80 percent better. People believed them and began to go out thinking that it would be safe. I think that the situation will become worse again."

U.S. commanders say attacks are down 55 percent nationwide since June because of American success in subduing Sunni and Shiite extremists after President Bush ordered nearly 30,000 reinforcements to Iraq this year.

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