Baghdad market blast death toll rises to 41
Dozens of heavily-armed attackers raided an open air market today in a tense town south of Baghdad, killing at least 41 people and wounding 42.
Most of the victims were believed to be Shiites. The attack in Mahmoudiya began about 9am local time with a brief mortar barrage, followed by an armed assault by dozens of gunmen.
They killed three Iraqi soldiers at a checkpoint, then stormed the market firing automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenades, according to police Capt. Rashid al-Samaraie.
Following the attack, police rushed to the market, arresting people at random in an attempt to find the assailants, witnesses said.
The attack sent shockwaves through Mahmoudiya, an agricultural centre with Shiites living in the town centre and Sunnis in the outlying neighbourhoods.
Frantic relatives milled about the hospital, scuffling with guards and Iraqi soldiers who tried to keep order.
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