Bombs Target Baghdad at Politically Crucial Moment

IRAQ -- January 25, 2010 at 7:45 PM EDT

Bombs Target Baghdad at Politically Crucial Moment

Three bombings rocked Baghdad Monday. The blasts, which occurred around 3:30 p.m. local time, targeted hotels popular with journalists and other foreigners. At least 30 people were killed and 71 injured in the bombings, according to the Associated Press.

NewsHour senior correspondent Gwen Ifill spoke to New York Times Baghdad correspondent Anthony Shadid Monday about the possible political implications of the attack, which came just over a month before elections scheduled for March 7.

"It's part of a campaign that's been going on basically since last August, aimed at undermining the sense of government control in Baghdad," Shadid said.

Listen to the rest of the interview:

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