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Four killed in separate bombings in Baghdad

Arab World Materials 5 November 2011 21:58 (UTC +04:00)

Four people were killed in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, on Saturday in separate bombings, which mostly targeted pro-government forces in the country, DPA reported.

Three were killed in a blast targeting the residence of a leading member of pro-government militia forces, known as Sahwa, north of Baghdad, a security source said.

The source told Aswat al-Iraq news agency the attack killed the leader's wife, brother and another member of his family. The house also collapsed.

Another bomb went off when the people hurried to the scene, leaving five people injured.

The attack follows a major assault on Thursday on the Sahwa militia, also known as the Awakening Councils, which are made up of former Sunni insurgents who have been supporting the government in its fight against al-Qaeda and helping to restore order in Iraq.

In the Sadr suburb of Baghdad, a civilian was killed and six injured today in two blasts from bombs mounted on vehicles.

Meanwhile, two university professors were kidnapped by gunmen with military attire in the northern city of Kirkuk.

Violence in Iraq had steadily dropped after Sunni-Shiite bloodshed peaked in 2006. But attacks have recently become an almost daily event, often targeting security personnel.

The United States is preparing to withdraw its troops at the end of the year from Iraq, but the recent escalation in attacks has highlighted the security challenges facing Iraqi forces.

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