Widespread Condemnation of Fatal Attack on Girl's School

BAGHDAD, 29 January (IRIN) - The Iraqi government, the United Nations and NGOs have condemned an attack against a girls' school in Baghdad that left five students dead and more than 20 injured on Sunday. Parents, students and teachers were left horror-struck after the incident.

Kholoud Secondary School in the mainly Sunni Adel neighbourhood of western Baghdad witnessed one of the most horrific attacks against Iraq's education system since the US-led occupation of the country began in 2003.

"We were terrified by what happened. They were young girls trying to build their future. It is unacceptable and I hope it will be an example to the government to show that something urgent must be done to stop such terrorism in Iraq," said Nawal Muhammad, a teacher at the school and a member of the Teacher's Union of Iraq.

"When I saw those girls dead in the ground I couldn't believe that I was inside a school; I thought I was in a war zone," Nawal added. "We are revolted with this situation. Schools should be safest place in the world."

Several projectiles exploded in the courtyard of the school, shattering windows in the classrooms and spraying pupils with glass.

Four girls died instantly and another at hospital, local police said.

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