The death toll from Sunday’s double car-bombing in Baghdad yesterday has now risen to at least 155, with more than 500 people injured.

While al-Qaeda is being blamed, there are also suspicions the attack will be the first of many in the run-up to elections in January, and that their purpose will be to split the nation into warring Sunni and Shi’ite factions. The Justice ministry and provincial government buildings in the supposedly safe Green Zone were badly damaged, but it was the government’s ability to ensure safety that was perhaps the biggest casualty in one of the bloodiest terrorist outrages in years. “Three people I know died, a man, his wife and brother. This is all because of the government’s power struggle. Poor people are the victims of their pursuit of power,” said one survivor. Police say they have discovered chemicals used in the attack in two houses in the city, and there have been a number of arrests. Extra roadblocks have choked the city centre in huge traffic jams.More about: Attack, Iraq

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