Iraq eyes grim holiday as US mulls strategy change

Islam's holy month will end on this week's Eid -- the precise date being one of many things that divides Iraq's Sunnis and majority Shias -- after a month of slaughter that was ferocious even by Iraq's bloody standards.

Hundreds of Iraqis have been murdered in both sectarian violence and clashes between armed militia factions, while US military casualties for October have already hit the highest monthly death toll of 2006.

In renewed violence on Sunday, several bombs exploded in Baghdad, killing two people and injuring nine, including a child, medics said.

One bomb exploded inside a collective taxi as it passed through the crowded Shorjah market, the latest in a series of attacks targeting families preparing for the upcoming feast.

"A passenger dropped a bomb in the back of the cab and got out. The car had gone just 20 metres (yards) when it exploded, killing the driver and another passenger and injuring five bystanders," said police Major Mohammed Ali.

Shortly after he spoke, another blast hit a nearby police vehicle. It was not immediately clear if there had been more casualties, while terrified shoppers scattered for safety.