8 killed in Baghdad blasts

Several bombs exploded nearly simultaneously Tuesday in a mainly Shiite area of Baghdad, killing at least eight people.

An explosives-laden car parked near a market entrance and two other nearby bombs detonated within minutes of one another about 8:40 p.m. in the Amin Thaniya neighborhood in east Baghdad, killing at least eight civilians and wounding 22, police and hospital officials said.

The market was closed, but kebab vendors and a pharmacy were busy with customers when one of the explosions occurred.

Another bomb exploded about 20 minutes later about 900 yards from the initial blasts, wounding five people, a police officer said.

The officials all spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to release the information.

Tuesday’s explosions heightened concerns about security measures in the capital because they came after at least 25 people were killed in a spate of bombings on Monday.

Persistent violence has focused criticism on Iraqi security forces who are responsible for protecting the people in the cities since U.S. forces pulled back to bases on the outskirts. A security pact calls for all American troops to withdraw from the country by the end of 2011.

Nobody claimed responsibility for the attacks. The bloodshed threatened to chip away at public confidence in the U.S.-backed government as it seeks to project a sense of normality ahead of next year’s national elections. The Iraqi government has responded to the attacks by tightening security at checkpoints and mosques and stepping up searches.

“Our security troops have increased the number on the streets,” said Iraqi army Capt. Majid Kadhim. “Yesterday there were security violations. God willing, our forces are ready to safeguard people.”