Frustration growing over violence in Iraq

Civilians a target; conflicting reports on blast in Ramadi

The U.S. military reported the deaths of five American soldiers.

By Tina Susman

February 28, 2007

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Two weeks after a U.S.-Iraqi security crackdown was launched, bombers struck popular gathering spots that included an ice cream parlor and a kebab shop yesterday, killing at least eight people.

Police in the capital also found the bodies of 31 men who had been shot, apparent victims of Shiite death squads. The U.S. military reported the deaths of five American soldiers.

Frustration in Baghdad over the continuing bloodshed was accompanied by a sense of confusion over an afternoon incident in Ramadi, where officials said a bomb at a soccer field killed 18 children.

The reports, which could not be independently verified, led to angry statements by officials. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki denounced the "crime against children in their innocent playgrounds" and blamed "criminal gangs."

However, other reports raised questions over whether anyone had been killed yesterday in the Sunni-dominated city.

The U.S. military said it set off a controlled explosion in Ramadi in the afternoon that went awry, sending shrapnel flying and injuring 31 people, including children. None of the injuries was life-threatening, said Lt. Col. Josslyn Aberle, a military spokeswoman.

"I know there are reports children were killed out there. Those are incorrect," Aberle said, adding that the military had no reports of any other blasts in Ramadi. >>>cont

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