Iraq's nine-day death toll crosses 300
MANAMA: The whirlwind of violence sweeping across Iraq has claimed 17 more lives, taking the death toll beyond 300 following last week's announcement of a partial Cabinet line-up by Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafari.
The deaths occurred after a car bomb exploded next to a security convoy of four vehicles at a busy intersection in central Baghdad. The blast killed at least 13 Iraqis, and four foreigners. The nationalities of the foreigners have not yet been established, but they are believed to be working for an American security firm. At least two of the vehicles were completely burnt, and thick black smoke swirled into the sky from the wreckage.
Eyewitnesses said that four bodies were taken out of a charred vehicle, while one bleeding foreigner walked away, clutching his head. The attack preceded a reported deal on the completion of a new Iraqi Cabinet. Sources in the new Government were quoted as saying that Saadoun Al-Dulaimi, a Sunni Arab was being appointed as the new Defence Minister, while the Oil Ministry would be headed by Ibrahim Bahr al-Uloum, a Shia.
Mr. Jaafari is seeking to induct more Sunnis in his Cabinet in a bid to defuse the resistance to U.S. occupation that the Sunni community is spearheading.
Upturn in violence
There has been a sharp upturn in violence after April 28, that has targeted Iraqi and U.S. security forces, as well as members of religious and ethnic communities, thereby deepening sectarian strife in the country.
On Friday, 31 persons were killed in a suicide car bombing at a vegetable market in Suwayra, south of Baghdad. On the same day a suicide bomber in Tikrit blew up his vehicle next to a police bus, killing nine policemen. Another 84 persons were killed on the previous two days, including 60 in a strike on would be recruits in Irbil.
http://www.hindu.com/2005/05/08/stories/2005050803891300.htm
The deaths occurred after a car bomb exploded next to a security convoy of four vehicles at a busy intersection in central Baghdad. The blast killed at least 13 Iraqis, and four foreigners. The nationalities of the foreigners have not yet been established, but they are believed to be working for an American security firm. At least two of the vehicles were completely burnt, and thick black smoke swirled into the sky from the wreckage.
Eyewitnesses said that four bodies were taken out of a charred vehicle, while one bleeding foreigner walked away, clutching his head. The attack preceded a reported deal on the completion of a new Iraqi Cabinet. Sources in the new Government were quoted as saying that Saadoun Al-Dulaimi, a Sunni Arab was being appointed as the new Defence Minister, while the Oil Ministry would be headed by Ibrahim Bahr al-Uloum, a Shia.
Mr. Jaafari is seeking to induct more Sunnis in his Cabinet in a bid to defuse the resistance to U.S. occupation that the Sunni community is spearheading.
Upturn in violence
There has been a sharp upturn in violence after April 28, that has targeted Iraqi and U.S. security forces, as well as members of religious and ethnic communities, thereby deepening sectarian strife in the country.
On Friday, 31 persons were killed in a suicide car bombing at a vegetable market in Suwayra, south of Baghdad. On the same day a suicide bomber in Tikrit blew up his vehicle next to a police bus, killing nine policemen. Another 84 persons were killed on the previous two days, including 60 in a strike on would be recruits in Irbil.
http://www.hindu.com/2005/05/08/stories/2005050803891300.htm
posted by Christy at 7:56 PM
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