The Iraqi government said on Sunday that the death
toll from the previous day’s suicide bomb attack in Musayyib, south
of Baghdad, has risen to more than 90.
"The enemies of freedom and humanity in Iraq have
committed a new ugly crime that shows their bankruptcy as they
targeted innocent civilians in the Musayib area, killing over 90
people," the government said in a statement.
"The Iraqi government condemns this brutal attack
and promises the Iraqi people it will continue to tighten its grip
on terrorist organizations by improving our armed forces and
regaining control of security," it added.
Earlier, police and medical officials had put the
number of casualties at 71 dead along with 156
wounded.???
A suicide bomber blew himself up on Saturday
evening near a fuel tanker in the middle of a square in the center
of Musayyib, some 60 km south of Baghdad, causing a firestorm that
set several buildings and shops on fire along with dozens of
cars.
It is the deadliest suicide bomb attack in Iraq
since the new Shiite-dominated government was formed in April.
Musayyib is located within the area dubbed the
"triangle of death," a hotbed of insurgency against US-led forces
and the US-backed new government.
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(Xinhua News Agency July 18, 2005)
