Iraq: Suicide Bomber Kills 14 North of Baghdad, Including US Soldier

20 December 2007 -- Iraqi authorities say a suicide bomb attack north of Baghdad has killed at least 14 people, including a U.S. soldier.

Police and U.S. forces say at least 10 others were wounded when the attacker detonated his explosives in a crowd of people near a security post in the town of Kanaan in Diyala province Thursday.

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Police say the attack was apparently targeted at local Sunni-Arab groups, who have joined U.S.-led coalition forces to fight al-Qaida in Iraq militants.

Separately today, the U.S. military in Iraq announced its troops recently found the remains of 26 people buried next to what it described as a torture center near the town of Muqdadiyah. The military said troops discovered the mass grave during an operation earlier this month.

At the White House today, President Bush said he is not satisfied with the political progress in Iraq, though he did say some advances have been made.

Mr. Bush also cited progress in living conditions, with some refugees returning home and local reconciliation taking place. But he said the United States will continue to press for further political reconciliation and reform.

President Bush is scheduled to visit the Middle East early next year. He says one of the objectives of the trip is to demonstrate a strong commitment to the security of the region.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.

Source: VOA News