More than 50 people were killed in several terrorist attacks Monday morning in Iraq, where the Obama administration has pulled out most American troops on the assumption that the government can maintain law and order.
A car bomb and a roadside explosion in a crowded area in the central Iraqi city of Kut killed and wounded dozens, including women and children. The updated death toll is 41, with more than 70 others suffering from wounds.
Four soldiers also were killed in another central city, north of Baghdad, when terrorists shot them to death at a checkpoint.
Two weeks ago, Iraqi leaders said they will talk with American counterparts concerning President Obama’s pledge that nearly 50,000 American soldiers still in the country will leave by the end of this year. The president previously pulled out all combat soldiers operating in active missions, leaving a large force to work with the local army.
“Resistance” leaders warned that would actively fight against any moves to keep the American soldiers in Iraq beyond 2011.
Although violence in the war-torn country has subsided, hundreds of people have been killed this year, including 259 last month. North of the capital, suicide bombers blew up themselves and three policemen inside an anti-terror office, and separate explosions killed a civilian and wounded 14 others in another city.