| Submit your comments on this article |
| Iraq |
| Qaeda-linked group claims Baghdad bombings |
| 2009-10-28 |
| [Al Arabiya Latest] A group linked to al-Qaeda said it carried out the twin suicide bombings that killed 155 people in Baghdad on Sunday and revived doubts about security in the run-up to Iraq's elections in January. The statement dated Oct. 26 was posted by the Islamic State in Iraq group on a website often used by militants to announce responsibility for such attacks. "Suicide bombers targeted the dens of infidelity and pillars of the rejectionist Shiite state in the land of the caliphate," the statement said. It employed language often used by Sunni Arab militants to describe the Shiite Muslim majority that has dominated the Iraqi government since the U.S.-led invasion of 2003. "Among the chosen targets were the ministry of oppression known as the ministry of justice and the Baghdad provincial assembly ... The enemies only understand the language of force," said the statement. The authenticity of the claim could not be immediately verified. The same group said it was behind attacks near government ministries in Baghdad that killed 95 people in August. Officials said two mini-buses were used in Sunday's attacks, circumventing a ban on truck traffic in heavily policed central Baghdad. Both were driven by suicide bombers from a nearby site, according to aerial images from U.S.-operated airships that hover over the city. Iraq has blamed Sunday's attack and bombings on Aug. 19 on al-Qaeda and supporters of Saddam Hussein's outlawed Baath party. |
| Posted by:Fred |