Baghdad, 28 March (AKI) - The 'Islamic State of Iraq' a name used by a group affiliated to al-Qaeda in Iraq has said it blew up two trucks - one in a crowded market - in the town of Talafar which killed some 60 people and injured scores more. In a statement posted on the Internet the group said it has carried out Tuesday's attack as part "of a noble plan called 'expeditions to avenge the honour' proclaimed by our emir Abu Omar al-Baghdadi."
The blasts marked one of the largest attacks in Talafar since US President Geroge W Bush used the town, which lies north of Baghdad near the Syrian border, to illustrate progress in Iraq.
According to witnesses one of the trucks stopped at the town's food market and the driver waited for hungry people - the town has experienced food shortages - to gather round the vehicle before detonating an explosive device. A second vehicle also carrying explosives blew up shortly afterwards. Ten people were killed when a man blew himself up outside a pastry shop in Talafar's market on Saturday. |