A spate of attacks against Iraqi security forces on Monday marked the second day of Iranian President Mahmoud AhmadinejadÂ’s first state visit to Iraq. Most of those killed in the violence were bystanders to attacks on Iraqi soldiers and police.In Baghdad, three bombings killed at least 17 people and wounded at least 56 others . At least four of the dead were Iraqi police or soldiers. In the most deadly attack, a car bomb exploded in Bab al-Muadham neighborhood, a busy central Baghdad district, as an Iraqi Army convoy passed by.
Hadi Abdul Ridha Abdullah, 45, a guard for a local telephone exchange facility near the blast site, said he saw someone driving an American-made sport utility vehicle through the jammed traffic. The truck exploded when Iraqi army Humvees rolled past. “One of the guards with me was on the ground a few feet away and was bleeding badly,” said Mr. Abdullah, weeping. “He died later. I even saw people burning inside their trucks and asking for help. But nobody could reach them. I’ll never forget what I saw today.”
Hours after the explosion, Iraqi security forces had towed away the husks of burned-out cars, while business owners and local residents hosed down streets and walls.
Many witnesses expressed anger that such attacks continued to occur in Baghdad despite increased security during the Iranian president’s visit. “I’m not against the visit of the Iranian president, but this is not a suitable time to receive any important officials,” said Aboud Qasem, 38, the owner of a nearby restaurant. As he scanned the chaotic scene he said: “It is always the innocents who pay the highest price.”
In a coffee shop near the scene, Hajji Abbas, 73, was more direct in his condemnation of Mr. Ahmadinejad’s visit. “We get all these problems from Iran and the other neighboring countries including the Arab nations,” he said. “Let them go to hell and leave us alone.”