Terrorist Bombings Targeting Shia Muslims in Baghdad Kill 57
- Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:18am by
Buck Sexton
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(AP)– A wave of bombings targeting Shiites in Iraq killed 57 people on Thursday, deepening sectarian tensions that exploded just as soon as the last American troops left the country in mid-December.
The coordinated attacks targeting Shiites bore the hallmarks of Sunni insurgents linked to al-Qaida, although there was no immediate claim of responsibility.
The bombings began early in the morning when explosions struck two Shiite neighborhoods in Baghdad, killing at least 27 people. A few hours later, a suicide attack hit Shiite pilgrims heading to the holy Shiite city of Karbala, said provincial official Quosay al-Abadi. The explosions took place near Nasiriyah, about 200 miles (320 kilometers) southeast of Baghdad. Hospital officials confirmed the causalities.
Baghdad military spokesman Maj. Gen. Qassim al-Moussawi said the aim of the attacks is “to create sedition among the Iraqi people.” He said it was too early to say who was behind the bombings.
The new violence will only exacerbate the country’s political crisis pitting politicians from the Shiite majority who dominate the government against the Sunni minority which reigned supreme under the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein.
Shiite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki‘s government has issued an arrest warrant for the country’s top Sunni politician last month. The Sunni official, Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi, is currently holed up in Iraq’s semiautonomous Kurdish region in the north – effectively out of reach of state security forces.
Fears have already been running high that the sectarian tensions could re-ignite Shiite-Sunni warfare that just a few years ago pushed Iraq to the brink of civil war.
The attacks began in Baghdad with the explosion of a bomb attached to a motorcycle near a bus stop where day laborers gather to look for work in the Shiite Sadr city neighborhood. One of those who witnessed the attack said it filled the area with thick black smoke.
“People have real fears that the cycle of violence might be revived in this country,” said Tariq Annad, a 52-year-old government employee who lives nearby.
That attack was followed by the explosion of a roadside bomb. Police found a third bomb nearby and defused it.
The two Sadr City blasts killed 12 people, according to police and medical officials.
Less than two hours later, two explosions rocked the Shiite neighborhood of Kazimiyah in the north of the capital, killing 15 people.
Officials said the Kazimiyah blasts occurred almost simultaneously, with at least one caused by a car bomb. Simultaneous explosions are a tactic frequently used by the Sunni insurgents against Shiites.
Hospital officials confirmed the causalities from the four blasts, which included more than 60 wounded.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information.
The attacks were the deadliest in Baghdad since Dec. 22, when a series of blasts killed 69 people in mostly Shiite neighborhoods. An al-Qaida front group in Iraq claimed responsibility for those attacks.
The last U.S. soldiers left Iraq on Dec. 18, ending a nearly nine-year war. Iraqi leaders feared a resurgence of Sunni and Shiite militants and an increase in violence following the departure of U.S. troops, a fear that is coming to be realized.
On Wednesday, attacks targeted the homes of police officers and a member of a government-allied militia. Those attacks, in the cities of Baqouba and Abu Ghraib outside Baghdad, killed four people, including two children, officials said.
Iraqi politicians remain deadlocked in a festering political crisis that threatens to re-ignite simmering sectarian tensions in the country.
Al-Maliki’s main political rival, the Sunni-backed Iraqiya bloc, is boycotting parliament sessions and Cabinet meetings to protest what they say are efforts by the government to consolidate power and marginalize them.
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sndrman
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 8:18pmso iran now gets to control the iraqi oil fields controll the straight of hormuze,go job b. HUSSAIN obama? wonder if HUSSAIN is a shia name or sunni? just wondering….
Report Post »robh
Posted on January 14, 2012 at 5:08pm57 is more killed in one bomb blast than the years (53) “palestinians” have been in Israel.
Well done!
Report Post »Max jones
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 1:23pmI sure wish they could get the job of raising up the caliphate done in a more timely manner, so the POTUS can remove the make up he’s been wearing for so long. It must be hard for him to pretend he wants the best for us, down here on the farm. But you really must admire his acting ability.
All he does is for making good on the promise of “fundamental change” from representative government to a dictatorship .
f
Report Post »amerbur
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 12:02pmI suggest we begin to pray for the opening of eyes in Iraq, that love can overcome hate. I am thankful that 57 of our couragous young men were not blown to bits, but I know they would not hesitate to stand for the freedom of their fellow Americans. It is on the backs of the Iraqis now, to make their own bed. In the end, they may have not bed in which to sleep.
Report Post »NOBAMA201258
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 4:05pmAmerbur,let’s pray for the opening of eyes in America,screw those ingrates in Iraq!
Report Post »PATRIOT802
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 11:54amI dont really care what happens in Iraq anylonger, they wouldnt give our troops immunity to stay and protect their asses so welcome to Covering Your Own ! Disagreed with NoBama about pulling out early to begin with…..should’ve listened to the Military Generals NOT Nancy PaLousey or Harry Greed !
Report Post »IMPEACHBHO
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 11:34amThat’s what happens when a president (now dictator) doesn’t listen to the military commanders and leaves because he has a campaign to run. The soldiers wanted to complete their mission that so many have sacrificed for – now all for nothing – thanks to BHO.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 11:48amYes. Commander-in-Chief of the Occupies would be more along his lines of expertise !
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 11:30amAny trained monkey could have predicted this was going to happen as soon as we pulled out of the country. Iran will soon be a factor in Iraq, too. Why the @$%# we didn’t make Iraq pay us, in oil, for all the protection and money we spent on them, I don’t know, but some heads should roll. Our soldiers sacrificed in vain over this hellhole full of muslims. IMO, The good people should have gotten out of Iraq while they could and left the treacherous to kill each other off.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 11:35amOh, but the Lefties claimed we only went into Iraq FOR their oil. That was when they were playing the Blame Bush Card and the General Be-try-Us Card. The Left always hates America. no matter what we do. It’s in their DNA and their Marxist indoctrination….
Report Post »kryptonite
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 11:52am@ANONYMOUS
Report Post »Agreed on the oil. Not a DROP went to us. And, yes, it was all in vain. Iraq can say goodbye to the right to vote and other civilian rights. As for the good people there, they had nowhere to go. It’s sad because they will be victimized once again, esp. women.
kryptonite
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 12:02pm@barber2
Oh, but the Lefties claimed we only went into Iraq FOR their oil.
——
That, of course, was a big fat lie. However we did have a vested interest in the oil of the region, which should remain in the hands of our “allies” (not that any Muslim country is a true ally).
On second thought, maybe not taking any oil in payment was necessary to keep the left from torpedoing the surge. Thanks for the reminder.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 12:41pmKRY: Your welcome.
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 11:29am.
This is why when you go to WAR; you should have a KILL THEM ALL Strategy……..
Not the P.C./Obama Drop Trow, and Grab Ankles approach……….
Report Post »kryptonite
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 11:16amMost of you commenting on this thread are Paul supporters and therefore analyzing this situation the wrong way. It’s not “let them kill each other.” One faction, namely the Shiites, WILL subjugate/kill the Sunnis, with the help of Iran. The problem is, the Iranian faction is also linked to al-Qaida. They want three things: 1) The destruction of Israel (which you Paulists don’t give a **** about); 2) The region’s oil (which I guess you Paulists don’t give a **** about either), and 3) The destruction of “the great Satan,” i.e., us. Now, you Paulists do care about America, but your little cultic minds have figured out that Iran is not a threat to us. Deluded folks. Hussein and the left are with you.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 11:13amLooks like Iran’s plan to destabilize and take over the area commences once again.
Report Post »commonsenseguy
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 11:03amover someones religious beliefs,what a shame but it has been that way for years will always be that way,obama loves these kind of islamic terrorist,he even wants to have a beer summit with them, he or god can not and will not change these people,they hate us and their own if they don’t believe the same way they do, but obama wants to scratch their backs and be buddy buddy with them, i just wonder what his reaction will be when they start killing americans over here for religious beliefs
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:59amJust warm fuzzy *****‘s doin what *****’s do best.. Kill , maim, destroy !!!
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 12:14pmReally Blaze, you sensored the word ***** ? Give me a break, sheese
Report Post »rock-n-roll-rebel
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:52amThis effects our national security how again? I sure am glad we waged a 10 year war there so things could get back to normal again.
Report Post »BIGJAYINPA
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 11:00amGet Dupont to send a couple of shiploads of explosives to these animals and then just sit back and let them have at it. Tell me again why we spent so much blood and treasure on them. And our so-called Government wants to expidite the visas to import several thousand of thes critters to this country. What the He** are you idiots smoking down there??!!??!!. There is not one single living thing in Iraq or Iran worth one drop of our blood or one penny of our treasure. Sterilize the area with atomic fire and kill every living thing there and maybe in a few years something worth while will grow there…..Just sayin’
Report Post »TXPilot
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 11:03amMuslims killing Muslims……not seeing the problem there…….I just wish we would have at least kept some of the oil, so we had anything to point to as having been an actual reason to send our troops there in the first place.
Report Post »ThePostman
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:49amWOW, I am sure glad we went to war and sacrificed so many fine young men and women so that these monsters could have the freedom to slaughter all the Christians in Iraq, and after they completed that mission, turn upon themselves. Nice.
As I have been saying, it is far far better that we stay completely out of the middle east, and let these people sort it out amongst themselves. Khaddafi was overthrown without our intervention, the people decided to do it. After that, it was inevitable, and our bombs and drones merely speeded up the process. But they also contributed to more feeling that we are meddling. See: Egypt.
Iran will suffer the same fate, if only we would step aside and let the people do their job.
Report Post »ThePostman
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:50amAfter a generation or two of leaving them alone, normal relations can begin.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 11:32amThe Muslim Brotherhood ( whose founder was a devout admirer of Adolph Hitler ) will take over in its birthplace, Egypt , where is was founded to terrorize Coptic Christians . Then the radicals will declare Sari ah Law which is, apparently, what the bully radicals desire. Think the lines are just being drawn for WWIII . The caliphate business…
Report Post »blackstone22
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:45amTragically predictable.
Report Post »ozchambers
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:50amDid ANYONE at any point expect things to be different once we left?
Report Post »commonsenseguy
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 11:08am@ozchambers, yep, obama,but as usual he was wrong and he failed again.but you can bet he will keep trying to change them,he has to in order for his and george soros “‘new world order “‘ to happen, open boarders,one religion,everyone has the same things,car,house,eat the same food and worship them.can you see it,just like mao,every house will have a picture of obama and soros,but first they have to get the extremist in line,and that will start with a beer summit.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 11:45amThe tragedy is that it was so predictable and yet it was allowed to happen. Political gain by Obama / General Be-tray-us Crowd . Now he aims to trim the military ( not his base of welfare programs / vote getters ) Spits in the memory of all those who died and their families who suffered their loss. Politics as usual from the Democrats. ( and al Qaeda was counting on this behavior )
Report Post »sjohn70037
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:44amAtta boy. You pos muslims kill each other all you want. If you run short of C4 just let us know. We’ll send more.
Report Post »On The Bayou
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:44amWhat are they looking for there at the site ? Gold Teeth, a ring, a walet or what. Or does the sight of blood turn them on?
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:38am.
Report Post »This is what Obama wanted. Now Iran can swoop in and take over……..
JLGunner
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:44amMan, we got outa there in the nick of time!!!
Report Post »momrules
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:32amIslam is Islam. Muslims are Muslims. If they aren’t killing infidels to make themselves feel righteous then they just kill each other but by allah they will kill someone. It is their way.
Report Post »On The Bayou
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:32amHonor Bombings
Report Post »democritusoilder267
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:27amThis is terrible. Sad to see anyone get killed or hurt. God bless them.
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:24amYaY !!!! Get out of the way, and let them kill each other…….
Report Post »Mateytwo Barreett
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:22amMore“workplace violence”? Msy concern is that the Hilldabeast probably made an agreement that the good ol USA will compensate for damage and loss of life. Wanna bet?
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:42am@mateytwo
Report Post »The Hildabeast ? Ok , can i use that one. : ))
NOBAMA201258
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 4:03pmHilldabeast our lovely secretary of steak?
Report Post »AOL_REFUGEE
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:22am“Deepening sectarian tensions that exploded just as soon as the last American troops left.”
No kidding? Who would have seen this coming?
Report Post »CatB
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 11:06amThe Military leaders who advised Obama not to withdraw so “quickly” … too bad it was all for naught.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 11:25amCATB: Hey, but Obama had campaign promises to keep ! All he cares about is winning another chance to “transform” America into a Marxist country. Well, that and proving that George Bush , the military, General Be-tray-us ( remember that nasty little Lefty episode ?) , and the Republicans were wrong…
Report Post »kryptonite
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 11:30amThe traitor doesn’t want an attack on his America, which he plans to rule beyond 2012. However, it’s a Catch-22 for him, since he needed to get out of Iraq to rally his base. It‘s anyone’s guess what Hussein will do. All I can predict is that it will benefit him and not America.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 11:37amKRY: Think Obama has his sights set on ruling the UN or some other Big World Organization. Not sure what his Far Left concerns are for America…
Report Post »kryptonite
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 12:11pm@barber2
Report Post »Think Obama has his sights set on ruling the UN
——–
But he can and is doing that best as POTUS. Nothing can compare to the luxuries and power he enjoys as ruler of the world superpower. You think Obum won’t cheat his way to re-election in Nov.?!