From MSNBC:

The explosion in the center of the oil-rich city 180 miles north of Baghdad came amid rising violence in northern Iraq even as the government and U.S. forces prepare to launch a security operation aimed at stopping sectarian attacks in the capital.

Guards shot the driver as he approached the checkpoint, killing him before he could reach the police station. But his explosives detonated, causing part of the sand-colored station to collapse and damaging nearby shops, police Brig. Sarhad Qadi said. Eight people were killed and 43 wounded with most of the casualties caused by the building collapse, he said.

Here’s my question. Northern Iraq seems to have been pretty quiet. Why all the sudden are there suicide bombers and rising violence there? Just asking….. I know what I think….what do you think?