Six Killed After Baghdad Car Bomb
21 minutes ago
BAGHDAD, Iraq - A car bomb exploded next to an Iraqi police station just outside Baghdad's Green Zone on Saturday, killing six Iraqi policemen and wounding 10 in the second attack in two days targeting local security forces in the capital, an Iraqi security official said
The explosion occurred at about 9:30 a.m. near a checkpoint leading to the heavily fortified area, which houses the offices of the interim Iraqi government and several foreign missions, including the U.S. Embassy.
Bursts of automatic gunfire were heard following the blast.
An Iraqi National Guard official at the blast scene, speaking on condition of anonymity, said six Iraqi policemen died in the attack and 10 were wounded.
On Friday, 11 carloads of gunmen drove up to the police station in the city's western Amil district and attacked it with rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire, killing 16 policemen. Jordanian terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's militant group claimed responsibility for that attack.
U.S. Embassy spokesman Bob Callahan said the car bomb detonated close to a checkpoint. He said there were no U.S.-led coalition casualties.
"A strong explosion was caused by a vehicle borne improvised explosive device," Callahan said. "Medical units are arriving at the scene now. We know there are some Iraqi casualties."
Iraqi police sealed off the area, barring reporters from the scene.
One policeman told reporters on condition of anonymity that the car bomb targeted a police station located opposite an entrance into the Green Zone.
U.S. military spokesman Maj. Jay Antonelli confirmed the blast had occurred near "Checkpoint 3." That's close to the Convention Center ? a building next to the Green Zone where the American military and embassy regularly stage meetings ? and the nearby al-Rashid Hotel, which houses diplomats and foreign contractors.
A police station and various government buildings, including the foreign and housing ministries, also are close to the area where the explosion occurred.
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