Baghdad Blasts Kill 57 (injure nearly 200) in Shiite Muslim Area as Political Tensions Rise

[웃 910]

Baghdad Blasts Kill 57 as Political Tensions Rise

Civilians were targeted in bombings across Baghdad that killed 57 people amid an escalation of political infighting in Iraq that has followed the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the country.

Today’s attacks also injured 176, Ziad Tariq, a spokesman for the Health Ministry, said by phone from the capital. Residential areas, schools and shops were hit, said Qassim Atta al-Mousawi, spokesman for the security forces in Baghdad. The blasts took place in mainly Shiite Muslim areas, where security forces cordoned off areas and some businesses shut for the day.

“The timing of the crimes and the choice of their areas confirms again to all those in doubt the political nature of the objectives that these people want to achieve,” Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said in a statement on his website. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks.

Tensions between al-Maliki’s Shiite-led allies and Sunni politicians have intensified since a warrant was issued this week for the arrest of Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi, a Sunni, on terrorism charges. The case comes amid concern that the U.S. pullout will leave a security vacuum in Iraq, which seeks investment and expertise to develop the world’s fifth-largest crude reserves.

The leaders of parliamentary blocs will hold an “urgent” meeting tomorrow to discuss the security and political situation, according to a statement published today on parliament’s website. Shiites and Sunnis have been at odds for more than a year over the formation of a unity government.

Seek to Divide

In a speech to mark the end of American operations in Iraq on Dec. 15, U.S. Defense SecretaryLeon Panetta said that Iraq would be tested by terrorism and those who seek to divide.

“The criminals and those behind them will not be able to change the course of events or the political process and will not escape the punishment that they will face sooner or later,” al-Maliki said. “I call on religious, political, tribal and national leaders to shoulder their responsibility at this critical time and to stand by the security forces.”

Baghdad Governor Salah Abdul Razzak said in a statement that “we reject resorting to violence as a reaction to a political or judicial case. We heavily condemn the terrorist attacks.”

Ready to Testify

Al-Hashimi, who fled to the semi-autonomous northern region of Kurdistan, denied all charges on Dec. 20 and said he is ready to testify in his defense in a trial in Erbil, Kurdistan’s capital. He questioned the motivation for the accusations and said the case was timed to coincide with the U.S. forces’ withdrawal.

Three of al-Hashimi’s bodyguards were detained and said in alleged confessions aired on state-run al-Iraqiya television on Dec. 19 that they were paid to commit murders for him. Al- Hashimi said the confessions were fabricated.

Al-Maliki said yesterday his government will ask Kurdistan’s authorities to hand over al-Hashimi and pledged to guarantee him a fair trial in Baghdad.

“I don’t think that the whole issue is judicial, it rather has political dimensions at this critical moment” when the U.S. troops are leaving, Ferhad al-Atroshi, a Kurdish lawmaker, said in a telephone interview today from the Kurdish city of Dahouk. Kurdistan shouldn’t hand over al-Hashimi because this will further escalate tensions between the Sunni and Shiite communities, he said.

Urgent Talks

A spokesman for the Kurdistan Regional Government wasn’t available to comment on the case. Kurdistan President Massoud Barzani has called for urgent talks to avoid the collapse of the political process.

One of Iraq’s largest political blocs, Iraqiya, which draws support from Sunnis, announced the suspension of its participation in parliament on Dec. 17.

Al-Maliki said yesterday that his deputy, Saleh al-Mutlaq, a Sunni politician who had described him as a dictator in a recent television interview, was on “extended leave.”

A ceremony a week ago in Baghdad marked the end of the Iraq war that began in 2003. The U.S. deployment officially ends on Dec. 31.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-22/iraq-blasts-rock-baghdad-as-nine-explosions-kill-31-injure-more-than-140.html

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Christian bombers? Yeah..... I didn't think so.

[bigdog 376]

Apparently their government has it handled!! I guess the USA did a good job there in-spite of the liberal press coverage.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

Who didn't see this one coming? Bush in all his smartness didn't figure in or didn't care about the giant vacuum leak that he created by taking out Sadaam. You have Sunni vs Shia for a winner take all. Throw the Kurds into the equation and it's a free for all. I'm sure Iran is making a killing atm with funneling arms to whoever.