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Prime ministers

Deadly Bomb Blasts in Baghdad: MP Ann Clwyd Recounts Harrowing Experience

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Cynon Valley MP Ann Clwyd, the Prime Minister's special envoy to Iraq, was on a fact-finding mission in Baghdad when the city was hit by a series of co-ordinated attacks, resulting in the deaths of over 100 people. Clwyd, who was in the central criminal court complex, recounted her harrowing experience, describing how she and others took cover as the blasts occurred. The violence was condemned by leaders in Britain and the US, with Prime Minister Gordon Brown's spokesman issuing a statement condemning the attacks in the strongest possible terms.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 100 people were killed in the latest wave of violence in Baghdad, with 197 wounded
  • Militants are believed to be seeking to undermine preparations for a national election due to be held in March
  • Ann Clwyd, Cynon Valley MP and the Prime Minister's special envoy to Iraq, was on a fact-finding mission at the time of the attacks
  • Clwyd recounted how she and others took cover as the blasts occurred, with the security situation initially unclear
  • The development of democracy in Iraq has been ongoing since 2003, with Clwyd stating that the security situation had been improving on each of her visits to the country
  • Three car bombs exploded in the space of a few minutes, targeting government buildings and a neighbourhood near the Iraqi-protected green zone
  • The attacks come after 155 were killed in October after two trucks were blown up in the Iraqi capital

Statistics:

  • 118 people killed in the latest wave of violence in Baghdad
  • 197 people wounded in the latest wave of violence in Baghdad
  • 155 people killed in October after two trucks were blown up in the Iraqi capital
  • The security situation has been improving on each of Ann Clwyd's visits to Iraq since 2003
  • A national election is scheduled to be held in Iraq in March

Sources:

  • "Deadly Bomb Blasts in Baghdad: MP Ann Clwyd Recounts Harrowing Experience" by [BBC News], (exact reference: BBC News, no date)
  • "Iraq: 118 killed in bombings" by [AP News], (exact reference: AP News, no date)
  • "UK condemns attacks in Iraq" by [BBC News], (exact reference: BBC News, no date)
  • "Iraqi government targets of deadly bomb blasts" by [Al Jazeera], (exact reference: Al Jazeera, no date)

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