Bomb blasts kill 11 in Baghdad market

BAGHDAD -- Back-to-back bomb blasts in a crowded Baghdad market near a revered Shia shrine killed at least 11 people Saturday, officials said.

The bombings, which happened within about a minute of each other, appeared aimed at intimidating Iraq's Shias, who are a frequent target of Sunni insurgents.

The blasts struck about 500 yards from a shrine where two revered imams are buried, damaging nearby shops and buildings, according to police, who confirmed the casualty figures.

The attacks came as many shoppers were out buying new clothes in anticipation of the Eid ul-Adha holiday, which begins in about a week.

"It was a busy time for shopping, so there were a lot of people around," said Ahmed Naseer, the owner of a stationery shop nearby. "When I came out, I saw burning carts and merchant stalls, and children crying and women screaming out of fear. The whole place was full of panic." Officials said at least 35 people were wounded in the attack.

The blasts pushed to 15 the number of people killed across Iraq since late Friday.

Earlier in the day, gunmen opened fire on a police patrol in the Shia neighborhood of al-Shaab, killing two policemen and wounding another. Late Friday in the Karradah district, gunmen shot dead a police lieutenant colonel who worked with the State Identity Directorate, authorities said.