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

A minimum of three explosions hit Friday near Baghdad's Eco-friendly Zone, where a march to mark Iraq's Military Day was happening, witnesses said.
There have been no immediate reviews of casualties within the attacks, which come among heightened security over the Iraqi capital within preparation for Military Day. Officials have said these were concerned about the chance of attacks.
Witnesses said the actual explosions were brought on by mortars or rockets that struck a brief stretch of road between your Foreign Ministry and one of many checkpoints leading to the Green Zone, places previously targeted within attacks.
The Eco-friendly Zone, also referred to as the International Area, is home towards the U. S. Embassy and numerous Iraqi government as well as military offices.
Sectarian separate blamed in Iraq episodes
Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki along with other top officials went to the parade.
January 6 may be the anniversary of the formation from the Iraqi Army. This is actually the first time Iraq offers marked the occasion because the 2003 invasion without having U. S. troops in the united kingdom.
The latest episodes came after a large number of people died Thurs in bombings within Baghdad and close to Nasiriya, strikes regarded as targeting Shiites.
Violence raged for a long time after the Ough. S. invasion of Iraq between members from the country's Sunni group, who held power throughout the era of Saddam Hussein, and it is Shiite majority, that gained power following his ouster.
Sectarian physical violence eventually diminished. However in recent weeks, Iraqis happen to be concerned about a rise in Sunni-Shiite violence following the U. S. military withdrawal in the country last 30 days.
Sunnis in Iraq possess felt marginalized through the government of Perfect Minister Nuri al-Maliki, the Shiite. That frustration intensified after he or she ordered the police arrest last month associated with Sunni Vice Leader Tariq al-Hashimi, who had been charged with purchasing bombings and assassinations, the charge he denies.