February 05, 2007	Monday	Muharram 16, 1428

BAGHDAD, Feb 4: At least 15 people died in bombings that rocked Baghdad on Sunday a day after a massive blast tore through a market, killing 130 people in the second deadliest attack in Iraq since the March 2003 invasion.

The US military meanwhile revealed that four helicopters which crashed in the past two weeks were shot down by rebels killing 20 troops and private security guards.

Four policemen were among the dead in Sunday's blasts, security sources said.

The attacks, which follow a week of bombings in mainly Shia areas, came ahead of a massive security operation by a combined US-Iraqi force aimed at stabilizing the violence-wracked city.

Security sources said Saturday's blast, which also wounded more than 300 people, was caused by a suicide bomber who blew up his truck in Sadiriya market in Baghdad.

The devastation caused by the bomb was apparent, the long, narrow street where the Sadiriya market is situated covered with the debris and rubble of dozens of gutted shops.

Grieving people anxiously searched for the remains of loved ones in the wreckage of collapsed buildings which looked as if they had been hit by artillery or air strikes.

The blast was the worst attack since coordinated car bombings in the district of Sadr City on Nov 23 killed at least 202 people.

Iraqi soldiers sealed off the blast site as Sadiriya residents voiced fury at the government and its ally the United States.

“Why they are targeting this place again and again? Just because we are Shias,” one resident who saw the bombing said.

“Why don't they target Adhamiyah or Fadel (Sunni districts)? These were families who died. Where is the government? Let Prime Minister Maliki see this, let President (Jalal) Talabani see this. Do you see any Americans around here? Why this place? Where is the security plan?” Armed men searched those who were looking for their relatives.

“All the 13 families from these two buildings were annihilated,” volunteer Haider al-Atbi said, pointing at two collapsed buildings.

Sadiriya, a Shia stronghold, was an obvious target for Sunni insurgents.

In one attack, a car bomb exploded near a bus station killing four people and wounding seven.

Maliki expressed outrage at Saturday's market bombing.

“The Iraqi people and the world is shocked by this crime which struck the popular market in Sadiriya and resulted in massive casualties,” he said. “The Saddamists have returned to commit a new crime.” The government pointed the finger at militants infiltrating from Syria.—AFP