BAGDAD: Iraq’s main motorcycle market was hit today by a bombing that killed 13 people and wounded more than 50, just four days before US soldiers pull out of cities, towns and villages nationwide.

Defence and interior ministry officials confirmed the toll and said the bomb went off in the capital’s Nahdha district around 0600 GMT, as people gathered at the market on the Muslim day of rest.

The blast was the latest in a string of attacks to hit the conflict-torn nation in the run-up to Tuesday’s withdrawal of American troops from Iraq’s urban areas.

“People burned and bodies were thrown everywhere,” said Omar Hashem, 34, covered in blood, who was accompanying a friend planning to sell a motorcycle when the explosion happened.

“At first we ran away but we returned to help the victims. Blood and body parts covered dozens of motorcycles that were completely destroyed.” Bike trader Maytham Abdelamir, 23, crying, said: “There was a huge shockwave. I saw so many people burned; others were thrown in the air. My friend was killed.” Officials from two Baghdad hospitals told AFP 54 people had been wounded.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki had moved to reassure Iraqis that his security forces were able to protect the population after a massive bomb killed dozens the previous day.

Wednesday’s attack in a market in the Shiite district of Sadr City in northeast Baghdad was one of the deadliest this year, killing at least 62 people and wounding about 150.

“We assure you of Iraqi forces’ readiness for the mission, despite some security violations, and we assure you that we are now more stable and steady,” Maliki said.

He appealed to Iraqis to inform the army and police of any potential attacks, to ensure that the country did not return to the sectarian violence that blighted it throughout 2006 and 2007.