Violence in Iraq claims more lives

Three car bomb explosions in Baghdad have killed at least 15 people, and left dozens maimed and injured. And further north a suicide bomber killed at least 7 Iraqi soldiers near an army base.

Reports of the new explosions, claiming lives of both civilians and soldiers, come form Iraq every day. A blast, close to a mosque in the Shi’ite Kamaliya area of the city exploded near a crowded bus stop.

The explosion went off not far from Sadr city where, last month, 200 people lost their lives in a triple car bombing. It was the worst such attack Iraq has seen since the U.S. led invasion in 2003.

And on Wednesday, 70 people were killed in 2 car bombs, which exploded in Baghdad’s main central, Tayaran Square. A further 200 people were injured.

The country’s Prime Minister pointed the finger of blame at Saddam loyalists and Sunni extremists. But his ability to control the violence has been called into question. On Tuesday the White House said it was delaying announcing its new strategy, until the beginning of next year.

The question is, to what extent is President Bush willing to go to quell the violence sweeping across Baghdad?