Massive explosion rocks Baghdad

2006-01-01 08:37

Baghdad - A large explosion rocked central Baghdad on Sunday morning, sending a plume of black smoke into the sky.

The explosion occurred at 08:55.

At least 15 people were killed on Saturday in a series of attacks in and around the Iraqi capital the previous day, security forces said.

A US soldier was killed in southern Baghdad in a mortar attack, the US military said.

Four policemen and four civilians were killed in two bomb and a mortar attacks in Baghdad, while five people died in an explosion targeting the local headquarters of the Sunni-based Iraqi Islamic Party in Khalis, north of Baghdad, police said.

A policeman was also shot dead in the north of the capital.

Five bodies were also found south of the capital.

- AFP