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Jordanâs Iraq Embassy Boomed, 8 Dead

At least eight people have been killed in a large explosion at the Jordanian embassy in Baghdad. Some of those killed were reportedly embassy staff and guards. Others are thought to have been in cars parked close to the embassy. The Jordanian Information Minister Nabil al-Sharif called the attack â in which the bomb appears to have been concealed inside a truck â a "cowardly terrorist" act. The explosion reduced the front of the embassy to rubble and shrapnel was found as far as 1,000 metres from the scene. Human remains were visible in a compound close to the embassy. It is unclear how many people were injured in the explosion, with reports suggesting around 20 people were rushed to hospital. A US army spokesman estimated there were "eight or 10" deaths and said 130-230 kilograms (300-500lb) of explosives were probably used in the bomb. "I saw a long vehicle approach the embassy," police officer Hekmat Ibrahim told news agency AFP as he was leaving nearby Iskan childrenâs hospital, his head bandaged. "I heard a huge explosion. I was blown back and I fell unconscious." An Iraqi embassy guard being treated at another hospital, Shaheed Mazloum, said he had heard two explosions. "I was sitting in the reception," he told news agency AP. "I heard the first explosion. I ran out and then there was another explosion. Many employees were inside the embassy as well as Iraqis and Jordanians. Smoke filled the street," he said. After the embassy explosion, Iraqis are reported to have stormed the building, smashing portraits of Jordanâs King Abdullah II and his father King Hussein.
Waiting for the bomb to go off, or just spur of the moment?

Waiting for the bomb to go off. It was a setup...

Tensions were heightened when embassy guards reportedly fired toward bystanders trying to remove people caught in the blast. No additional deaths were reported, but a brief but noisy protest followed. American troops are currently at the scene, in the Mansur district, and are advising people to leave the area in case of a further explosion. An investigation has now begun.
Hummm, somebody doesnât like Jordan for (indirectly) supporting the US? Are there any other embassies from Arab countries open in Iraq?

Interesting boom here. There's no telling whodunnit at this point, but the presence of a mob on the scene to torch portraits of King Abdullah that they were conveniently carrying and storm the embassy instead of helping with the dead and wounded indicates a coordinated attack. Baathists probably aren't happy with Jordan, and they're the guys on the scene with the organization to put this sort of thing together. The car boom, coming a day after a similar boom in Indonesia, suggests a bit of Qaeda involvement, or more probably al-Tawhid. I'd suspect a Baath-Zarqawi link, rather than Baath-Hezbollah or just Baath. Just guesswork at this point, but Tawhid's original purpose in life was to overthrow Jordan's monarchy, and both Abu Qatada and Zarqawi served jug time in Jordan...

Posted by: Steve 2003-08-07

http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=17385