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09/14/2004:

"Car Bomb Near Baghdad Police Headquarters Kills 47"

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A huge car bomb ripped through a crowded market near a Baghdad police headquarters Tuesday, killing 47 people and wounding more than 110 in the deadliest single attack in Iraq's capital in six months.

In Baquba northeast of Baghdad, gunmen opened fire on a police minibus, killing 12 people, and 10 Iraqis were killed in clashes between U.S. forces and guerrillas in the restive town of Ramadi, Health Ministry officials and witnesses said.

An Internet statement in the name of the Tawhid and Jihad group led by Jordanian al Qaeda ally Abu Musab al-Zarqawi claimed responsibility for the Baghdad blast, which it said was carried out by a suicide attacker. The group also claimed responsibility for the attack on the police minibus.

Fighting has surged in Iraq over the last few days after U.S.-led forces launched fierce offensives in a bid to retake pockets of the country that have fallen under guerrilla control and present problems in staging planned elections in January.

Gunmen opened fire on a U.S. patrol near Mosul, killing one soldier and wounding five, the U.S. military said.
Full Article: NY Times