Suicide bomber detonated car after being shot – BOC

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The suicide bomber who attacked the defense ministry building in central Baghdad earlier on Sunday detonated his explosive vehicle after he came under security forces’ fire, according to a release by the Baghdad Operations Command (BOC). “The bomber detonated his explosive-rigged car near the back gate of the defense ministry building in al-Maydan square, leaving two persons killed and eight others wounded,” read the release published on the BOC web site. “Gunfire was heard prior to the bombing as security forces shot at the terrorist who did not succumb to the warning signals,” it added. Earlier, a security source said a civilian man was killed and five others wounded in a car bomb attack in the area between Bab al-Muadham and al-Maydan square. The mounting acts of violence took place as the government formation crisis is still going on amidst differences flaring up among the three top political blocs over the prime minister post. They also come five days after U.S. combat troops withdrew from Iraq while 50,000 still remain in the war-troubled oil-rich country for consultancy and training purposes. AmR (S) 1