A sandstorm downed an Iraqi military helicopter Wednesday, killing its five-man crew, while Baghdad bombings claimed the lives of six people, officials said. According to the AP, Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Mohammed al-Askari conveyed the helicopter was flying to provide air protection to Shiite pilgrims traveling by road to the holy city of Karbala, when it crashed in the sandstorm early in the morning.
Meanwhile, two midmorning bombings in Baghdad killed six people and wounded 15 others in the eastern Shiite slum of Sadr City, police and health officials said. The bombs, which exploded close to each other about 9:15 a.m., were planted near a state-run bank where retirees were waiting to get their pensions, the officials said.
The dead included three men, two women and one Iraqi security official, officials said.
