Sepcial Report: Tension accelerates in Iraq

    BAGHDAD, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- A bomb attack killed at least 12 and wounded more than 30 others at an army recruitment center in the town of Hilla, south of Baghdad, police said on Wednesday.

    The bomb, left on a parked bicycle, exploded at around 8 a.m. (0400 GMT), when a crowd of young people had gathered outside the army recruiting office.

    "An explosive-packed bicycle apparently left close to the office of an army and police recruitment center in Hilla, 100 km south of Baghdad, detonated at about 8:00 a.m. (0400 GMT)," the source said on condition of anonymity.

    The blast took place when a crowd of volunteers gathered outside the office to sign up for the army, the source added.

    Meanwhile, police Lt. Osama Ahmed said a man posing as a potential army recruit had planted the bicycle bomb.

    The blast follows several days of heavy bloodshed outside the capital city of Baghdad, where U.S. and Iraqi troops have mounted a major security crackdown. Enditem