Car bomb in Baghdad market leaves 11 dead and 30 injured

A CAR bomb exploded today at the entrance to a fruit and vegetable market in south Baghdad, killing 11 people and wounding about 30.

The blast, which occurred at about 7am at the Rasheed market in the city's southern Dora area, follows a sharp rise in attacks in Iraq last month, raising fears that militants have regrouped after suffering sharp setbacks in fighting over the last two years.

Most of the recent bombings have taken place in Shia areas, suggesting Sunni militants such as al-Qaida in Iraq are responsible.

The Rasheed market is in a mainly Sunni area but the farmers who trade there are predominantly Shias.

Shia farmer Kamil Lahmoud was in the market's office when the blast happened.

He said: "I went out and saw many people covered with blood and bodies scattered everywhere."

Despite the rise in attacks, the Iraqi government has ruled out asking US combat troops to remain in Iraqi cities after the June 30 deadline for their withdrawal.

The US-Iraq security agreement, which took effect this year, calls for American combat troops to leave urban areas by the end of June, with all US forces out of the country by the end of 2011.