4 Mar 2010

Suicide bomb attacks target Iraqi city

8:59 am on 4 March 2010

Days ahead of Iraq's national elections, suicide bombers have killed at least 31 people in the city of Baquba.

Two car bombs exploded within minutes of each other near government buildings in the provincial capital, 60 kilometres north of Baghdad.

A later third blast targeted the city's main hospital, where victims of the first attacks were being treated.

The predominantly Sunni Arab city has been the scene of frequent fighting between insurgents and US-led troops since Saddam Hussein was ousted in 2003.

Iraq's police and military are preparing to mount a vast nationwide security operation to try to prevent attacks before election on Sunday.