Babel’s suicide blast toll up to 42

BABEL / IraqiNews.com: Casualties from the suicide blast that ripped through Babel province earlier today have reached 42, including nine dead, according to a local media source. “The toll from the explosive belt blast that targeted a checkpoint set up by the Iraqi army and Sahwa fighter in Jisr 18 area (60 km north of Hilla) has reached nine dead and 33 wounded,” the source told IraqiNews.com news agency. Earlier today, the source said that seven Iraqi soldiers and Sahwa fighters were killed and 22 others were wounded as a result of the blast. The Sahwa councils are anti-Qaeda fighters working in coordination with the Multi-National Force (MNF) and the Iraqi government. Headed by local chieftains, the councils have been credited with helping reduce violence in many Iraqi provinces, like Anbar, Diala, Ninewa, and Salah al-Din. Hilla, the capital city of Babel province, lies 100 km south of Baghdad. SS (P) 1