22 killed as Shiite pilgrims targeted
Source: Agencies |
December 6, 2011, Tuesday
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THREE bombs tore through crowds of Shiite pilgrims celebrating a major ritual in Iraq's Hilla city yesterday, killing least 22 - mostly women and children - and wounding 60 more, local police and witnesses said.
The attacks, at the height of Ashura, which commemorates the death of Prophet Muhammad's grandson Imam Hussein and defines Shiite Islam, underscored Iraq's fragile security as the last US troops leave the country by the end of the year.
In the first attack, a car bomb blasted the end of one Shiite procession, killing 16, mainly women and children, wounding 45 others and leaving bloody pools, shoes and tore clothes scattered across the street, police and witnesses said.
"A powerful and horrible explosion went off behind us, smoke filled the area," said Hadi al-Mamouri, who was taking part in the ritual. "I could only hear the screams of women and I could only see the bodies of women and children on the street."
A second attack involving two roadside bombs killed at least six more people at another procession in Hilla and wounded 15 more, police sources said.
The attacks came as the last 10,000 American troops prepare to leave, more than eight years after the invasion that ousted Sunni dictator Saddam Hussein and allowed the Shiite majority to ascend.
Yesterday, an Iraqi Sunni insurgent group with links to Hussein's banned Ba'ath party vowed to continue attacks on US personnel staying in Iraq after troops withdraw.
Sunni Islamist insurgents often target Shiite shrines and ceremonies in an attempt to inflame sectarian tensions. However, violence has eased sharply since its worst years in 2006-2007.
The attacks, at the height of Ashura, which commemorates the death of Prophet Muhammad's grandson Imam Hussein and defines Shiite Islam, underscored Iraq's fragile security as the last US troops leave the country by the end of the year.
In the first attack, a car bomb blasted the end of one Shiite procession, killing 16, mainly women and children, wounding 45 others and leaving bloody pools, shoes and tore clothes scattered across the street, police and witnesses said.
"A powerful and horrible explosion went off behind us, smoke filled the area," said Hadi al-Mamouri, who was taking part in the ritual. "I could only hear the screams of women and I could only see the bodies of women and children on the street."
A second attack involving two roadside bombs killed at least six more people at another procession in Hilla and wounded 15 more, police sources said.
The attacks came as the last 10,000 American troops prepare to leave, more than eight years after the invasion that ousted Sunni dictator Saddam Hussein and allowed the Shiite majority to ascend.
Yesterday, an Iraqi Sunni insurgent group with links to Hussein's banned Ba'ath party vowed to continue attacks on US personnel staying in Iraq after troops withdraw.
Sunni Islamist insurgents often target Shiite shrines and ceremonies in an attempt to inflame sectarian tensions. However, violence has eased sharply since its worst years in 2006-2007.
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