Mass Murder on Market Day in Iraq by Car Bomber

Four car bombs have hit two markets on the big shopping day in Iraq. At least 31 people are killed and more than 70 are wounded.

The bombs went off at two outdoor markets in the capital Baghdad and in shomali, a town south of the capital. Shomali located in the province of Babil, which is dominated by Shiite Muslims.

The bombs exploded in Baghdad on an animal market in northern Kazimyah neighborhood in Baghdad, and a vegetable square in shomali.

New bomb in flight

Iraqis draw every Friday for the markets to shop and spend time with their families, markets are therefore often target for militants who want to take as many lives as possible.

The first car bomb exploded in Baghdad at the entrance to the animal market, police said. When panicked visits duck trying to escape from the area, exploded a second car that was parked a few meters away.

At least 17 were killed and 45 wounded in the two explosions.

About one hour later detonated two car bombs at the same time shomali-market. An additional 14 people were killed and at least 26 were injured.

All those killed were civilians.

The explosion is the latest in a series of attacks in which rebel writers trying to trigger sectarian violence that marred the Shi'ite-led government's efforts to maintain peace and order.