Bomb strikes Shiite market in Baghdad, killing 61

At least 61 people were killed and more than 100 wounded.

BAGHDAD (AP) – A bomb hidden in a cart of vegetables ripped through a crowded market in Baghdad’s Sadr City on Wednesday, killing at least 61 people, Iraqi officials said, just days after the U.S. military closed its main base in the Shiite district.

It was the third deadliest attack this year and occurred less than a week before a deadline for U.S. combat troops to leave Iraqi cities under a new security pact.

An hour later, two roadside bombs exploded in predominantly Shiite neighborhoods of Baghdad. The first, outside a billiards hall, killed one and wounded 19, while the second wounded four, police and hospital officials said.

The 7 p.m. blast at the market appeared to be timed to maximize casualties by striking shoppers buying food for their evening meal.

The explosives were loaded on a motorized pushcart and shrapnel was blown more than 600 yards away, a police officer said.

Police and hospital officials said more than 100 people were wounded. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information.

I am certain this was Khamenei & Ahmadinejad paying back al-Sistani and the US for “meddling” in Iran. They are perfectly willing to kill Iranians, so they would have no probelm slaughtering Iraqi Shiites too. These guys aren’t fooling around. When are we going to get serious about them?