NEWS ALERT: SUICIDE BOMBING OUTSIDE OF BAGHDAD KILLS AT LEAST 17

KIM GAMEL
AP foreign, Tuesday September 8 2009
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/feedarticle/8696236?FORM=ZZNR2

Associated Press Writer= BAGHDAD (AP) Suicide attackers struck near a Shiite mosque north of Baghdad and a checkpoint west of the capital on Monday as bombings killed at least 17 people nationwide.

The violence was concentrated in former Sunni insurgent strongholds that have seen a sharp decline in violence after local tribal leaders turned against al-Qaida in Iraq. Despite the relative calm, a series of deadly bombings have raised concerns about a resurgence of violence as the U.S. military scales back its presence, with a full withdrawal planned by the end of 2011.

The attacks which mainly targeted checkpoints and Iraqi policemen €”also highlighted the weaknesses in the Iraqi security forces, which are struggling to prove they are ready to take over from the Americans.

The deadliest attack was a suicide car bomber who struck a line of vehicles waiting to be inspected before crossing a bridge near the Anbar provincial capital of Ramadi, police said.