GAO SHAN

GAO SHAN

Smoke fades away after a suicide attack near the building of the Baghdad Provincial Council on October 25.

Two coordinated truck bombs exploded in downtown Baghdad that day, killing at least 155 people and leaving more than 700 wounded. The self-styled Islamic State in Iraq, a militant group linked to the Al Qaeda network, has claimed responsibility for the deadliest bombing attacks in Iraq since 2007. The blasts occurred less than three months ahead of the country's national elections, scheduled for January 16 next year.

Right: A diplomat checks an office in the Chinese Embassy in Iraq, which was severely damaged in the October 25 blasts.