Suicide car bombers hit police patrols

Suicide car bombers hit police patrols

Two suicide car bombers struck police patrols in Shiite area in Baghdad, killing at least 11 people and wounding nearly 20.

The blasts struck in quick succession at about 6 p.m. in the Zafaraniyah area of southeastern Baghdad, shattering the calm of the traditional Islamic day of rest.

The violence started when the driver of a Sedan plowed into police cars parked near a bridge where a checkpoint was being established. That was followed within minutes by the explosion of a fuel truck near another nearby bridge, police said.

The 11 killed included six policemen, police said, adding that 17 people were killed, including nine policemen.

The explosions occurred three hours after the end of a weekly driving ban aimed at preventing such attacks during Friday prayers in Baghdad.