A SERIES OF BOMB ATTACKS IN BAGHDAD KILLS DOZENS

A series of car bomb and mortar attacks occurred in Baghdad on the morning of 19 August 2009. The first car bomb detonated under a bridge near the Finance Ministry. The blast caused a portion of the bridge to collapse, destroyed dozens of vehicles and significantly damaged the ministry building. Minutes later, a second car bomb was detonated near the Foreign Ministry and the Green Zone; the blast damaged the Foreign Ministry building, the nearby Parliament building and the al-Rashid Hotel. Mortar shells also targeted the area, with two falling within the Green Zone and one falling just outside of it. Heavy damage was reported on the main Mohammed al-Qassem Street. Current reports indicate that 77 people were killed and 420 were injured in the attacks, although new casualty counts continue to emerge.