2 blasts rock Karbala, leave casualties

KARBALA / IraqiNews.com: Two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on Wednesday detonated in Karbala province, leaving an unknown number of casualties, according to local security sources and eyewitnesses. “An explosive charge went off in al-Dahan market, near Imam al-Abbas shrine, downtown Kirkuk,” an eyewitness told IraqiNews.com news agency. “Shortly after the first blast, another explosive device went off near al-Ahyaa garage in al-Mukhayyam area (500 meters west of Imam al-Abbas shrine), leaving an unknown number of casualties,” a police source said. The holy Shiite city of Karbala lies 110 southwest of the Iraqi capital Baghdad. SS (P)/SR 1