<p>Last night's attack was the first since al-Qaida-linked militants last week threatened a wave of violence against Christians in Iraq. The community went so far as to tone down its Christmas celebrations in what was a peaceful holiday, but the latest attack demonstrated the intent of militants to keep up their deadly pressure on Christians.<br /><br />Assailants in southwestern Baghdad threw two grenades inside the home of a Christian family, killing two people and injuring five more, police said. In a different neighbourhood in eastern Baghdad, militants planted a bomb near a Christian home. Two people were injured in that attack.<br /><br />Then another bomb planted near a Christian house in western Baghdad exploded, wounding one member of the family as well as a civilian who was driving by, police said.<br /><br />Iraqi military spokesman Maj Gen Qassim al-Moussawi confirmed that two people were killed. He said a bomb planted near the fence of a Christian home in southern Baghdad also exploded but he had no information about casualties in that incident.<br /><br />"The aim of these attacks is to prevent Christians from celebrating the New Year's holiday," al-Moussawi said.<br /><br />There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but such attacks have generally been the work of Sunni militants linked to al-Qaida.<br /><br />The casualties were confirmed by hospital officials. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not allowed to talk to reporters.<br /><br />The attacks are sure to ratchet up tension in the tiny Christian community still living in Baghdad. At least 68 people were killed in October when militants stormed a Baghdad church during Mass and took the congregation hostage.<br /><br />Thousands of Iraqi Christians have fled to northern Iraq, fearing further attacks.</p>
<p>Last night's attack was the first since al-Qaida-linked militants last week threatened a wave of violence against Christians in Iraq. The community went so far as to tone down its Christmas celebrations in what was a peaceful holiday, but the latest attack demonstrated the intent of militants to keep up their deadly pressure on Christians.<br /><br />Assailants in southwestern Baghdad threw two grenades inside the home of a Christian family, killing two people and injuring five more, police said. In a different neighbourhood in eastern Baghdad, militants planted a bomb near a Christian home. Two people were injured in that attack.<br /><br />Then another bomb planted near a Christian house in western Baghdad exploded, wounding one member of the family as well as a civilian who was driving by, police said.<br /><br />Iraqi military spokesman Maj Gen Qassim al-Moussawi confirmed that two people were killed. He said a bomb planted near the fence of a Christian home in southern Baghdad also exploded but he had no information about casualties in that incident.<br /><br />"The aim of these attacks is to prevent Christians from celebrating the New Year's holiday," al-Moussawi said.<br /><br />There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but such attacks have generally been the work of Sunni militants linked to al-Qaida.<br /><br />The casualties were confirmed by hospital officials. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not allowed to talk to reporters.<br /><br />The attacks are sure to ratchet up tension in the tiny Christian community still living in Baghdad. At least 68 people were killed in October when militants stormed a Baghdad church during Mass and took the congregation hostage.<br /><br />Thousands of Iraqi Christians have fled to northern Iraq, fearing further attacks.</p>