Bomb explodes in central Baghdad

Bomb explodes in central Baghdad

A bomb targeting a police patrol exploded Wednesday in downtown Baghdad, killing at least three civilians and injuring 15, police said.

An explosive device hidden under a car detonated at about 10:40 a.m. near Tahrir Square, said Maj. Falah al-Mohammedawi, a spokesman for the ministry which oversees police.

The capital has suffered a surge of violence since the Feb. 22 bombing of an important Shiite shrine in the mainly Sunni city of Samarra, which triggered reprisal attacks against Sunnis. At least 68 people were killed Tuesday in bombings and mortar fire against mainly religious targets in the city, reports the AP.