25 October 2009 Baghdad bombings
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25 October 2009 Baghdad bombings
| 25 October 2009 Baghdad bombings | |
|---|---|
| Location | Baghdad, Iraq |
| Date | 25 October 2009 10:30 am – (UTC+3) |
| Target | Multiple |
| Attack type | Car bombs |
| Deaths | 155[1] |
| Injured | 721+[1] |
| Perpetrators | Islamic State of Iraq[2] |
The 25 October 2009 Baghdad bombings were attacks in Baghdad, Iraq which killed 155 people and injured at least 721 people.[1]
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Contents
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Attack
The attack was caused by two suicide[3] car bombs[4], in a minivan and a 26-seat bus,[5] which targeted the Ministry of Justice and the Baghdad Provincial Council building[6] in a quick succession at 10:30 am local time.[7] The Ministry of Municipalities and Public Works, which is approximately 50 metres (160 ft) from the Justice Ministry, also sustained severe damage.[8] Among the dead were 35 employees of the Ministry of Justice and at least 25 staff members of the Baghdad Provincial Council. Among the wounded were three American contractors.[9] A bus carrying children from a daycare next to the Justice Ministry was also hit, killing the driver and 2 dozen children on board as well as wounding six other children.[5]
The blasts badly damaged St George's church, the only Anglican church in Iraq. Canon Andrew White reported body parts had been blown into the church by the explosion and that a humanitarian medical clinic which operated on the site had been destroyed.[10]
It was the deadliest attack in Iraq since August 2007[4] and took place very close to where car bombers killed at least 120 people at the Foreign and Finance Ministries two months earlier.[11]
Perpetrators
Iraqi Deputy Interior Minister Ahmad al-Khafaji told Adnkronos International (AKI) that the bombs were manufactured inside the Green Zone, in a location right next to the blasts. Deputy Minister al-Khafaji said, "It seems the individuals who carried out the attacks had rented a house or commercial premises in a sidestreet of the area they intended to target and gradually sneaked in the bomb-making materials."[12]
On 11 March 2010, Iraqi police arrested Munaf Abdul Rahim al-Rawi, the mastermind of the bombings. His capture also led to the death of Al-Qaeda leaders Abu Ayub al-Masri and Abu Omar al-Baghdadi. Al-Rawi was called the "Governor of Baghdad" and masterminded many of the other Baghdad bombings since Aug. 2009, according to Major General Qassim Atta, a Baghdad military spokesman.[13][14]
Political effects
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki had been trying to portray the country as safer than the period of heavy violence in 2006–2007. Local politicians said the blasts were trying to destroy faith in Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and his ability to secure the country after the U.S. withdrawal.[3] He faces re-election in January 2010, and much of his popularity has rested on the safety of the country. The bombings prompted some Iraqis to reconsider their support for the Prime Minister.[11]
The Prime Minister responded, stating, "The cowardly acts of terrorism which occurred today, must not weaken the resolution of Iraqis to continue their journey and to fight the followers of the fallen regime, the Baathists and al-Qaeda".[3]
International reaction
Canada: Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon issued the statement: "Canada is appalled and gravely concerned by today’s two deadly bomb attacks in Baghdad, near the Justice and Foreign Affairs Government buildings, which took many innocent lives... Canada condemns these cruel and unjustified acts of violence. We are confident that such affronts on the Iraqi people will not weaken the country’s strong desire to establish a secure, stable and unified democracy... On behalf of all Canadians, I offer my sincere condolences to the families and friends of those killed and injured in the bombings. Our thoughts are with the Iraqi people... The Government of Canada stands firmly with the Iraqi people to help strengthen freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Iraq."[15]
China: China said it was shocked by the car bombings in Iraq. "China opposes terrorism in any form, and hopes that Iraq will realize national security, stability and development at an early date," Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said in a press release.[16]
France: Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said in a statement "I condemn with the utmost firmness the double suicide attack perpetrated today in Baghdad ... In this dramatic ordeal, France assures the people and the government of Iraq of its full solidarity."[17]
Iran: Iran's foreign affairs minister, Manouchehr Mottaki said: "Iraq is the prey of terrorism. This is a work of the Ba'th Party. Iran will help Iraq to destroy terrorism".
Norway: Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre denounced the attacks in a press release stating "I strongly condemn this terrorist attack, which has affected so many innocent civilians ... Norway will continue to support the reconstruction of a democratic and stable Iraq.”[18]
Russia: President Dmitry Medvedev condemned the attacks and offered condolences in a telegram to the Iraqi president. He said in the statement "I was outraged and hurt by the news of criminal explosions in Baghdad ... Any manifestation of terrorism against peaceful citizens, governmental, public and religious institutions, no matter what goals and objectives are used to motivate them, has no justification."[19]
Syria: Foreign Minister Walid al-Mouallem condemned the attacks as "criminal" in his statement to reporters following meetings with Venezuela's foreign affairs minister. He stated "we condemn criminal acts that target Iraqi people.. such crimes should be condemned because they target stability and security of Iraq."[20]
United States: President Barack Obama said in a statement: "I strongly condemn these outrageous attacks on the Iraqi people, and send my deepest condolences to those who have lost loved ones. These bombings serve no purpose other than the murder of innocent men, women and children, and they only reveal the hateful and destructive agenda of those who would deny the Iraqi people the future that they deserve."[4] Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in a statement that the U.S. would work together with Iraqis "to combat all forms of violence and attempts at intimidation."[21]
See also
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References
- ^ a b c "Baghdad bomb fatalities pass 150". BBC News. 26 October 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/8325600.stm. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
- ^ Londoño, Ernesto (27 October 2009). "Extremist group claims responsibility for Baghdad bombs". Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/27/AR2009102700496.html?hpid=moreheadlines. Retrieved 27 October 2009.
- ^ a b c Shadid, Anthony (26 October 2009). "Bombings rock Iraq's political landscape". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/25/AR2009102500811.html. Retrieved 25 October 2009.
- ^ a b c "Twin Baghdad blasts kill scores". BBC News. 25 October 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8324546.stm. Retrieved 25 October 2009.
- ^ a b Santana, Rebecca (26 October 2009). "Iraq steps up security after blasts kill 155". Baghdad: The Associated Press. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hwK_CSpBxsNuVUEaDuOwmSSCiqGwD9BJ1KT00. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
- ^ Norland, Rod (26 October 2009). "Iraq Blast Toll Continues to Rise, Includes Children". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/27/world/middleeast/27iraq.html. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
- ^ Shalash, Saad (25 October 2009). "Bloodiest attack in Baghdad in months". Independent News & Media. http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=3&art_id=nw20091025130847770C167309. Retrieved 25 October 2009.
- ^ "Deadly bombings worst Iraq attack in two years". CNN. 25 October 2009. http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/10/25/iraq.violence/index.html. Retrieved 25 October 2009.
- ^ Santana, Rebecca (25 October 2009). "Bombings Target Government in Baghdad, 147 Killed". Associated Press. http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=8909962. Retrieved 25 October 2009.[dead link]
- ^ http://www.frrme.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=83&Itemid=103
- ^ a b Williams, Timothy (25 October 2009). "Iraq Bombings, Deadliest Since 2007, Raise Security Issue". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/26/world/middleeast/26iraq.html. Retrieved 25 October 2009.
- ^ "Iraq: Deadly car bombs 'made inside' Green Zone". Adnkronos International. 26 October 2009. http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Security/?id=3.0.3914410423. Retrieved 28 October 2009.
- ^ Iraq captures senior al-Qaida leader: spokesman
- ^ "Al Qaeda commander: How I planned Iraq attacks". CNN. 20 May 2010. http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/05/20/iraq.al.qaeda/index.html?hpt=T2.
- ^ "Canada Condemns the Deadly Attacks on Baghdad". Canada: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada. 25 October 2009. http://www.international.gc.ca/media/aff/news-communiques/2009/315.aspx. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
- ^ http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-10/27/content_12336719.htm
- ^ "France condemns twin Baghdad bomb attacks". Paris: Expatica. 26 October 2009. http://www.expatica.com/fr/news/french-news/France-condemns-twin-Baghdad-bomb-attacks_57572.html. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
- ^ "Foreign Minister condemns terrorist attack in Baghdad". Norway: Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 25 October 2009. http://www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/ud/press/News/2009/baghdad_terror.html?id=582727. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
- ^ "Medvedev offers sympathies to Iraqi authorities over loss of life in bomb blast". Moscow: ITAR-TASS. 26 October 2009. http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=14471076&PageNum=0. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
- ^ Qaddour, Basma (26 October 2009). "Syria's FM brands Baghdad bombings "criminal"". Syrian News Station. http://sns.sy/sns/?path=news/read/6069. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
- ^ "Obama: Iraq attacks an attempt to derail progress". DailyMe. 25 October 2009. http://dailyme.com/story/2009102500003234/obama-iraq-attacks-attempt-derail-progress.html. Retrieved 25 October 2009.[dead link]
External links
- [1] Images of the attack
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