Suicide bomber kills 11 in Iraq

Witness says military vehicle parked near courthouse was targeted by female suicide bomber in a city north east of Baghdad.

A US soldier stands guard near a damaged military vehicle after a bomb attack in Baquba today.

BAGHDAD // A female suicide bomber detonated an explosives vest today in a city north-east of Baghdad, killing 11 people and wounding 19, Iraqi officials said. The attack occurred around 11.30am in front of a courthouse in downtown Baqouba, the provincial capital of Diyala, one of Iraq's most violent areas, police said. It was apparently intended to be a double suicide bombing, but a man accompanying the woman failed to detonate his explosives vest and was arrested at the scene, said Ibrahim Bajilan, the provincial council chief. "We were inside the court building when we heard a thunderous explosion followed by people's cries," said Abu Mohammed, 55, who was in the courthouse at the time. "We rushed outside the building. We couldn't see anything because smoke was everywhere." Abu Mohammed, who would not give his real name for security reasons, said the target appeared to be Iraqi army Humvees parked nearby. He said about five shops in front of the courthouse were damaged. Baqouba and surrounding areas have been struck by several female bombers in recent months despite US efforts to recruit and train more women for the Iraqi security forces. The military has warned that insurgents are increasingly using women as attackers because their billowing black robes easily hide explosives and they are less likely to be searched. Mr Bajilan expressed frustration with the continued attacks. "It seems that Baqouba is infiltrated and the terrorists have a foothold in it," Mr Bajilan said. "They have people who offer them safe shelter and carry out attacks." He said local authorities have deployed more than 50 women in the area to search for possible female bombers, but more were needed to control the roads leading to the city. Baqouba is a former al Qa'eda stronghold. It saw some of the fiercest fighting of the US-led war until local Sunni tribal leaders fed up with the militant network's brutal tactics joined forces with the US military against it last year. A top US commander in Baghdad warned today that al Qa'eda in Iraq would try to exploit any problems as the Americans transfer control of the US-funded Sunni groups to the Iraqi government. Earlier this month, the Shiite-led government assumed control of more than 50,000 Sunni fighters - many former insurgents - in Baghdad. Some of the so-called Sons of Iraq have raised concerns that the government will not follow through with promises to provide them jobs or will seek retaliation. Major Gen Jeffery Hammond, who commands US forces in Baghdad, said the military was working with the government to ensure a smooth transition. "I really see this as al Qa'eda's last opportunity to regain the initiative here in Baghdad. It is the decisive fight for al Qa'eda," he said. "I think that they're going to exploit any opportunity they can find with this ? transition in order to re-establish their presence in Baghdad. "They're going to try to exploit the Sunni fears and concerns over the transition, they're going to try to discredit the government and drive a wedge between the [Sons of Iraq] and the Iraqi security forces to regain their lost support with the population. Our task is to prevent this from happening." * Associated Press