[1] The attack was caused by two suicide[3] car bombs,[4] in a minivan and a 26-seat bus,[5] which targeted the Ministry of Justice and the Baghdad Provincial Council building[6] in a quick succession at 10:30 am local time.

[11] Iraqi Deputy Interior Minister Ahmad al-Khafaji told Adnkronos International (AKI) that the bombs were manufactured inside the Green Zone, in a location right next to the blasts.

Deputy Minister al-Khafaji said, "It seems the individuals who carried out the attacks had rented a house or commercial premises in a sidestreet of the area they intended to target and gradually sneaked in the bomb-making materials.

[11] The Prime Minister responded, stating, "The cowardly acts of terrorism which occurred today, must not weaken the resolution of Iraqis to continue their journey and to fight the followers of the fallen regime, the Baathists and al-Qaeda.

"[3] US President Barack Obama strongly condemned the attacks;[4] Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in a statement that the U.S. would work together with Iraqis "to combat all forms of violence and attempts at intimidation.