A bomb went off in a busy market in the Iraqi town of Mahmudiya, south of Baghdad on Friday (September 18th), killing at least seven people and wounding 21 others.

The explosion shattered a relatively calm holy Muslim month of Ramadan, which ends this weekend.

Ramadan has been a favorite target for militant violence in past years.

[Qais, Sweet Shop Owner]:
"We were working to earn our living on a quiet evening, every worker was busy with his work as people brought trays of kelecha (sweets) for Eid, in fact I was asking for more workers to come, when a blast took place nearby."

Despite persistent violence, Iraqis have been venturing out on evenings during Ramadan and many say they feel safer than they have for years.

Evening gatherings for Ramadan have in the past been a magnet for bombers linked to al-Qaeda and other groups.

Iraq has experienced fewer deadly bombing this month.

But this recent blast in Mahmudiya, about 20 miles south of Baghdad, is a reminder of the security issues Iraq faces six-and-a-half years after the U.S.-led invasion to oust Saddam Hussein.