Special report: Tension escalates in Iraq

    BAGHDAD, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- Two car bombs went off separately in Baghdad on Monday, killing at least eight people and wounding 25 others, an Interior Ministry source told Xinhua.

   A car bomb parking in the Najafi parking lot in the Nahdha area in central Baghdad around midday, killing at least five people and wounding 15 others, the source said on condition of anonymity.

   Another car bomb went off near the Saidiyah fuel station in southwestern Baghdad at about 12:40 p.m. (0940 GMT), killing at least three people and wounding 10 others, the source said.

   The attack took place near dozens of cars lining up outside the fuel station, he added.

   Violence persisted in Iraq despite the government's announcement to crack down on illegal militia and the U.S. decision of sending extra 21,000 soldiers to the war-torn country.