Seven Soldiers Dead

EPA/Ali Hussein copyright 2006 The New York Times Company

Sectarian Fury Turns Violent in Wake of Iraq Shrine Blast

BAGHDAD, Iraq, Feb. 23 — At least 138 Iraqis, mostly Sunni Arabs and including some clerics, were killed in central Iraq Wednesday and today in the maelstrom of sectarian violence that followed the insurgent bombing of one of the country's most sacred Shiite shrines, Iraqi officials said.

Iraqis protesting against the attack on the holy Shiite shrine in Samarra today in Baghdad. More Photos >
Seven American soldiers also died in attacks, the American military said today.

The most powerful Sunni Arab political group said today that it was withdrawing from talks with Shiite and Kurdish politicians to form a new government, accusing Shiite leaders of igniting anti-Sunni reprisals and the American military of standing idly by as the violence unfolded.

That's seven more american soldiers dead today. Three iraqi journalists. Over 125 iraqi soldiers and civilians killed.

Take a good long look. This is the price of georgie's excellent iraqi adventure.

Oh, and the red stuff in puddle in the photo? human blood.