News > Politics > In Iraq, the Murders Go On

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SUNDAY AUGUST 20 2006 8:00 PM

In Iraq, the Murders Go On

Submitted by legionnaire

Tags: Iraq, civil war, murder

The fighting in Iraq continues, despite any premature claims of victory by our commander in chief. This time, it's Shia pilgrims on a holy day.

Gunmen have opened fire on Shia Muslim pilgrims in Baghdad, killing at least 20 and injuring 300, officials say.

Tens of thousands of Shias are making the annual pilgrimage to the tomb of revered Imam Musa Kadhim in the Kadhimiya neighbourhood.

Officials said the gunmen were thought to be Sunni extremists. Shia militiamen are guarding some of the pilgrims.
[...]
Defence Minister General Abdul Qader Jassim told Reuters news agency 30 suspected militants were arrested and 14 police injured.

Qassem al-Mussawi, head of joint operations at the prime minister's office, said there had been some shooting but the situation was "under control".

Armed Shias of the Mehdi Army militia could be seen protecting some of the route.

Some Sunni leaders accused Shias of provoking the attacks and said security officials allowed militiamen to attack Sunni homes.

"We demand that the government stand up to these saboteurs," said a statement from the Sunni Islamic Party.

Iraq is a quagmire. The only thing that was able to keep these people, with centuries of hatred between each other, together was the iron first of Saddam Hussein. Even though most are thankful that he is gone, the power vaccuum created by his absence is allowing these old rivalries to flare up in spectacular, tragic violence. Take a close look at what neoconserative ideology has wrought; Iraq was supposed to be the centerpiece of a vibrant democracy that would reshape the entire Middle East into a Western-friendly zone.

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Comments

dholokov

Toronto, ON

April 2003

AUG 20, 2006 08:06 PM

Maclean's columnist Paul Wells puts everything in perspective by dredging up a 2003 article by Mark Steyn.

emotedcreations

Germany

July 2006

AUG 20, 2006 08:26 PM

LegionaeirIraq is a quagmire. The only thing that was able to keep these people, with centuries of hatred between each other, together was the iron first of Saddam Hussein. Even though most are thankful that he is gone, the power vaccuum created by his absence is allowing these old rivalries to flare up in spectacular, tragic violence. Take a close look at what neoconserative ideology has wrought; Iraq was supposed to be the centerpiece of a vibrant democracy that would reshape the entire Middle East into a Western-friendly zone.

I couldn't have said it better myself. Furthermore, 'neoconservative ideology' is just another way to say 'lack of any logical or strategic policy' (domestic or foreign).

Officials said the gunmen were thought to be Sunni extremists.

Who else would it be? The boogeyman?

troglodyte

Victoria, BC

May 2003

AUG 20, 2006 08:36 PM

emotedcreations said:
Who else would it be? The boogeyman?

Keyser Soze.

abracadabra

Seattle, WA

April 2004

AUG 20, 2006 08:49 PM

Who is Keyser Soze ?!!!

DaGhost

USA

December 2003

AUG 20, 2006 09:53 PM

Usual Suspects

MrCrisp

I'm lost

August 2004

AUG 20, 2006 11:25 PM