Witnesses: Blasts strike Iraq's Army Day parade in Baghdad

From Jomana Karadsheh, CNN

January 6, 2012 -- Updated 1422 GMT (2222 HKT)

Witnesses said the explosions were caused by mortars or rockets that struck near Baghdad's Green Zone.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• NEW: Dozens were killed Thursday in Baghdad and the south
• Witnesses say Friday's explosions were caused by mortars or rockets
• Officials have said they are concerned about the possibility of attacks
• There are no immediate reports of casualties

Baghdad (CNN) -- At least three explosions struck Friday near Baghdad's Green Zone, where a parade to mark Iraq's Army Day was taking place, witnesses said.

There were no immediate reports of casualties in the attacks, which come amid heightened security across the Iraqi capital in preparation for Army Day. Officials have said they were concerned about the possibility of attacks.

Witnesses said the explosions were caused by mortars or rockets that struck a short stretch of road between the Foreign Ministry and one of the main checkpoints leading into the Green Zone, areas previously targeted in attacks.

The Green Zone, also known as the International Zone, is home to the U.S. Embassy and a number of Iraqi government and military offices.

Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and other top officials attended the parade.

January 6 is the anniversary of the formation of the Iraqi Army. This is the first time Iraq has marked the occasion since the 2003 invasion without U.S. troops in the country.

The latest attacks came after dozens of people died Thursday in bombings in Baghdad and near Nasiriya, strikes thought to be targeting Shiites.

Violence raged for years after the U.S. invasion of Iraq between members of the country's Sunni minority, who held power during the era of Saddam Hussein, and its Shiite majority, which gained power after his ouster.

Sectarian violence eventually diminished. But in recent weeks, Iraqis have been concerned about an increase in Sunni-Shiite violence after the U.S. military withdrawal from the country last month.

Sunnis in Iraq have felt marginalized by the government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, a Shiite. That anger intensified after he ordered the arrest last month of Sunni Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi, who was charged with ordering bombings and assassinations, a charge he denies.

Part of complete coverage on

January 4, 2012 -- Updated 1724 GMT (0124 HKT)

Tales of war leave out half the story much of the time: Women. But Angelina Jolie's new movie shows how raping women has become a weapon of war.

Wasabi lovers may want to add more than a small pinch to their soy sauce the next time they opt for sushi. The fiery green paste has been found to possess health benefits.

January 4, 2012 -- Updated 1754 GMT (0154 HKT)

How a fashion designer and polymer chemist are fusing style and substance to create clothes that clean our environment.

January 4, 2012 -- Updated 2335 GMT (0735 HKT)

"The Iran Job" follows American basketball player Kevin Sheppard as he accepts the opportunity to play in Iran.

CNN's Pedro Pinto looks at 10 footballers who could make a big impact at a new club in the second half of this season.

January 4, 2012 -- Updated 1045 GMT (1845 HKT)

Republicans hold their first vote for a presidential candidate, setting the scene for what may be a choice between two very different men.

January 4, 2012 -- Updated 1422 GMT (2222 HKT)

Many Libyan children have been killed or injured in accidents involving guns and explosives, left over from the civil war.

January 4, 2012 -- Updated 1527 GMT (2327 HKT)

The killing of Stephen Lawrence in 1993 was followed by two decades of collapsed court cases and police blunders.

January 4, 2012 -- Updated 1247 GMT (2047 HKT)

A former child soldier separated from his family during Sudan's civil war talks about his hopes for his new country.

Source: http://rss.cnn.com/~r/rss/edition_meast/~3/7jtUIoeV1qo/index.html

fire island diaspora social network diaspora breaking dawn premiere rock center nbpa itunes match