69 reported dead in Iraq attacks

BAQOUBA, Iraq (AP) — Insurgents launched coordinated attacks against police and government buildings across Iraq on Thursday, less than a week before the handover of sovereignty. The strikes killed 69 people, including three American soldiers, and wounded more than 270 people, Iraqi and U.S. officials said.

Most of the casualties were in Mosul, where 44 people were killed and 216 were injured in attacks that included a string of car bombs. Clashes also occurred in Baqouba, Ramadi, Baghdad and other areas.

The extent of the attacks was a clear sign of just how powerful the insurgency in Iraq remains and could be the start of a new push to torpedo Wednesday's transfer of sovereignty to an interim transitional government.

Iraqi police — entrusted to take a larger role in security after the handover of power — appeared outgunned and unable to hold positions in most of the cities under fire. American troops raced to offer support, using aircraft, tanks and helicopters to repel the guerrillas.

The military wing of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's group, the Tawhid and Jihad movement, claimed responsibility for Thursday's attacks in a statement on an Islamic Web site.

Interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi said the attacks were meant "to foil the democratic process," but he said the situation was under control.

President Bush, who is appealing to NATO to help quell the escalating violence, updated members of Congress about the situation in Iraq during an hour-long meeting at the White House.

In Baghdad, the Health Ministry said at least 66 people were killed and 268 injured nationwide — excluding U.S. casualties. In addition to the three dead, at least 12 American soldiers were wounded.

Some of the heaviest fighting was reported in Baqouba, 35 miles northeast of Baghdad, where two American soldiers were killed and seven were wounded, the U.S. 1st Infantry Division said. Attackers also targeted police stations in Ramadi, Mahaweel and the northern city of Mosul, where car bombs rocked the Iraqi Police Academy, two police stations and the al-Jumhuri hospital.

Khalid Mohammed, an official at the hospital, said dozens of injured were brought there. At least 50 people died and 170 were wounded there, he said. A U.S. soldier also was killed and three were wounded in Mosul.

Mosul's governor imposed a 9 p.m.-6 a.m. curfew, and the city television station urged people to stay home for the "general good."