Last updated at 11:43 03 February 2008

Al Qaeda fanatics plumbed to sickening new depths yesterday when they turned two women with Down's syndrome into human bombs to kill 99 people in Baghdad.

The unwitting pawns were apparently fooled into wearing explosive vests which were then detonated remotely by mobile phones as the women mingled with crowds.

The two blasts caused carnage at two busy markets in the Iraqi capital's deadliest atrocity since last spring.

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A U.S. military spokesman conveyed the sense of outrage over the depravity of the masterminds.

"They have shown their true demonic character," said Lieutenant-Colonel Steve Stover.

Involving women in fighting violates religious taboos in Iraq, but extremists are recruiting females and youths to stage suicide attacks in a desperate attempt to beat tightened security measures.

Women can avoid thorough searches at checkpoints because of Islamic sensitivities, and four have carried out suicide bombings since November.

Yesterday's attacks are the first ever to have involved anyone with Down's Syndrome.

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The first attack was in the central al-Ghazl market, where numerous birds and animals were on sale.

The weekly bazaar had been bombed several times but recently had re-emerged as a popular place to shop and stroll as Baghdad security improved and a Friday ban on driving was lifted.

The woman carrying the bomb, hidden under her traditional black Islamic robe, was a familiar figure at the market where she sold cream.

At least 46 people were killed and more than 100 wounded. Fire crews scooped up remains scattered among blood, clothing and pigeon carcasses.

About 20 minutes later, the second bomb blew up a bird market in a predominantly Shiite area in southeastern Baghdad, killing up to 22 people and wounding 65, according to police and hospital officials.

The women used in the attacks were unlikely to have been willing participants, said the chief Iraqi military spokesman in Baghdad, Brigadier-General Qassim al-Moussawi.

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The attacks, shortly before the weekly Islamic call to prayer, were the latest in a series of violent incidents that have been chipping away at Iraqi confidence in the permanence of recent security improvements.

One pigeon seller at the al-Ghazl market said it had been particularly busy because it was a pleasantly crisp and clear winter day after a recent cold spell.

"I have been going to the pet market with my friend every Friday, selling and buying pigeons," said Ali Ahmed, who was hit by shrapnel in his legs and chest.

"I just remember the horrible scene of the bodies of dead and wounded people mixed with the blood of animals and birds, then I found myself in a hospital bed."

Many teenage boys were among the casualties.

A survivor of the other blast, Rae Muhsin, the 21-year-old owner of a mobile phone store, said he was walking towards the New Baghdad bird market when the bomb went off, shattering the windows of nearby stores.

He added: "I thought we had achieved real security in Baghdad, but it turned that we were wrong."

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The number of Iraqi civilians and security forces killed in January was 599, according to the Associated Press news agency, the lowest monthly death toll since December 2005, and continuing a downward trend since the autumn.

U.S. forces, meanwhile, have expanded offensives in central and northern Iraq with their "surge force" of 30,000 troops.