Sunnis in Iraq Urged to Defend Themselves
Sunni Arab Party Calls on Sunnis in Iraq to Defend Themselves in Wake of Raid
By PAUL GARWOOD
BAGHDAD, Iraq Jan 24, 2006 (AP)— A leading Sunni Arab party Tuesday urged fellow Sunnis to confront armed attacks on their community following a raid on a Sunni neighborhood in Baghdad in which three men were killed and more than 20 abducted.
Meanwhile, two German engineers were kidnapped Tuesday north of Baghdad by gunmen in two cars, German officials and police said. German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the government was doing "everything in our power so that we not only receive information, but the hostages will be returned to us safely."
The U.S. military also said a roadside bombing in Baghdad killed two U.S. soldiers Monday and two Marines died in a vehicle accident west of the capital.
The call for Sunnis to defend themselves was made in a statement issued by the Iraqi Islamic Party a day after gunmen, some wearing uniforms of the Shiite-led government security forces, swept into the Toubji area of Baghdad, raiding houses, abducting males and shooting three men dead.
An Interior Ministry official denied police involvement, saying an investigation is underway and the gunmen may have been disguised as commandos.
Allegations by Sunni Arabs of alleged abuses by the Shiite-led Interior Ministry will complicate talks among political parties to form a coalition government so U.S. and other foreign troops can go home.
The Iraqi Islamic Party, a partner in a Sunni coalition that won 44 of the 275 seats in last month's election, urged Sunnis to brace for more sectarian attacks.
"In every case, the security authorities deny any responsibility of what has happened," the statement said. "Any pretext by the government is unacceptable, so we call upon all reasonable Iraqis to do their best to stop the bloodshed and prevent more deterioration in security."
The statement said such raids "should be confronted by any suitable means to defend the souls, honor and money" of Sunnis.
The major Sunni clerical group, the Association of Muslim Scholars, blamed the Toubji raid on the Interior Ministry and called "for a halt to such immoral violations and the release of all detainees immediately."
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By PAUL GARWOOD
BAGHDAD, Iraq Jan 24, 2006 (AP)— A leading Sunni Arab party Tuesday urged fellow Sunnis to confront armed attacks on their community following a raid on a Sunni neighborhood in Baghdad in which three men were killed and more than 20 abducted.
Meanwhile, two German engineers were kidnapped Tuesday north of Baghdad by gunmen in two cars, German officials and police said. German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the government was doing "everything in our power so that we not only receive information, but the hostages will be returned to us safely."
The U.S. military also said a roadside bombing in Baghdad killed two U.S. soldiers Monday and two Marines died in a vehicle accident west of the capital.
The call for Sunnis to defend themselves was made in a statement issued by the Iraqi Islamic Party a day after gunmen, some wearing uniforms of the Shiite-led government security forces, swept into the Toubji area of Baghdad, raiding houses, abducting males and shooting three men dead.
An Interior Ministry official denied police involvement, saying an investigation is underway and the gunmen may have been disguised as commandos.
Allegations by Sunni Arabs of alleged abuses by the Shiite-led Interior Ministry will complicate talks among political parties to form a coalition government so U.S. and other foreign troops can go home.
The Iraqi Islamic Party, a partner in a Sunni coalition that won 44 of the 275 seats in last month's election, urged Sunnis to brace for more sectarian attacks.
"In every case, the security authorities deny any responsibility of what has happened," the statement said. "Any pretext by the government is unacceptable, so we call upon all reasonable Iraqis to do their best to stop the bloodshed and prevent more deterioration in security."
The statement said such raids "should be confronted by any suitable means to defend the souls, honor and money" of Sunnis.
The major Sunni clerical group, the Association of Muslim Scholars, blamed the Toubji raid on the Interior Ministry and called "for a halt to such immoral violations and the release of all detainees immediately."
Continued1. 2. 3. NEXT»
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