Bomb blasts at bird market in Baghdad kill 5

[May 18, 2012]  BAGHDAD (AP) -- Three bombs struck near simultaneously at a busy bird market in eastern Baghdad on Friday morning, killing five people and wounding dozens, police and health officials said.

Two police officials said the bird market in the Shiite neighborhood of Sadr City was crowded with shoppers when the bombs exploded at around 7:00 a.m. The officials added that 37 people were wounded in the blasts.

A hospital official confirmed the casualty toll. All the officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media.

Every Friday, thousands of Iraqis converge on pet markets to shop and spend some relaxing family time during the Muslim weekend. The markets are one of the favorite targets for militants who seek to inflict large numbers of causalities.

Violence has ebbed in Iraq, but insurgents carry out frequent attacks on security forces and civilians in an attempt to undermine the Shiite-led government.

[Associated Press; By SAMEER N. YACOUB]

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