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Iraq suicide bomb targets army recruits

By Channel 4 News

Updated on 17 August 2010

Fifty seven army recruits have been killed in a suicide bomb attack at a recruitment centre in Baghdad. 123 others were injured as Channel 4 News International Editor Lindsey Hilsum says insurgents seek to exploit Iraq's political vacuum.

Army recruits are killed in a bomb attack outside a recruitment centre in Baghdad. (Credit: Reuters)

The suicide bomber detonated his device at a building that was previously the Iraqi defence ministry under the regime of Saddam Hussein.

An army source suggested two bombers could have been involved in the attack as recruits gathered outside the centre in large groups to seek work.

The Iraqi army recruits around 250 people a week in the country which is blighted by unemployment.

Saleh Aziz, an injured recruit told how the explosion happened: "We were lined in a long queue. There were also officers and soldiers. Suddenly an explosion happened. Thank God only my hand was injured,".

The bombing came as Iraq remains gripped by political instability, as parties try to form a government five months after an inconclusive election.

Zaid Al-Ali, former UN adviser to the Iraqi Parliament, told Channel 4 News: "No one is willing to make any concessions, to step down to concede in favour of a grander resolution. The Iraqi people are feeling very frustrated and left out."

Insurgents have increased their attacks aiming to exploit tensions between Shi'ite political factions and a Sunni-backed alliance.

Yesterday, the al-Iraqiya bloc that won the most seats in March's vote suspended talks with the rival Shia-led bloc of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

"The result is stalemate - and violence"
The idea is that by now, seven years after the US invasion, the Iraqi government should be stable enough to run the country without active US military support. But there is no legitimate government, as Prime Minister Maliki's administration no longer has a mandate, writes international editor Lindsey Hilsum.

Mr Maliki will not cede power to Ayad Allawi, the leader of the Iraqiya faction which won just two seats more at the polls. But Mr Allawi yesterday withdrew from coalition talks. The result is stalemate – and violence.

According to the think tank Stratfor, many of Mr Maliki’s allies are taking their orders from Tehran, which is doing its obstructionist utmost.

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However, violence has fallen sharply since the wave of attacks reached its peak in 2006-2007.

US military forces are due to end combat operations at the end of the month, although last week the most senior Iraqi general suggested that it was too early for a draw down of American troops.

Lieutenant General Babakir Zebari told a defence conference in Baghdad that the Iraqi army would be unable to cope without backing from US forces, which may be needed for another decade.

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