At least 22 killed in Iraq blasts
- 12 years ago
At least 22 people are killed Monday after three bombs tore through crowds of Shi'ite pilgrims celebrating a major ritual in Iraq's Hilla city.
The attacks, at the height of Ashura, a key Shi'ite ceremony, underscores Iraq's fragile security as the last U.S. troops withdraw from the country.
Hadi Abbas, saying (Arabic):
"This is the second blast in one month in Al-Neil district. We do not know who to blame."
(Q: WHAT WAS THE TARGET?)
"It targeted innocent people. It targeted pilgrims."
The attacks came as the last 10,000 American troops prepare to withdraw by the end of 2011, more than eight years after the invasion that ousted Sunni dictator Saddam Hussein and allowed the country's Shi'ite majority to ascend.
Violence has eased sharply since its worst years in 2006-2007. But Sunni insurgents and Shi'ite militias still carry out deadly attacks on an almost daily basis.
Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters.
The attacks, at the height of Ashura, a key Shi'ite ceremony, underscores Iraq's fragile security as the last U.S. troops withdraw from the country.
Hadi Abbas, saying (Arabic):
"This is the second blast in one month in Al-Neil district. We do not know who to blame."
(Q: WHAT WAS THE TARGET?)
"It targeted innocent people. It targeted pilgrims."
The attacks came as the last 10,000 American troops prepare to withdraw by the end of 2011, more than eight years after the invasion that ousted Sunni dictator Saddam Hussein and allowed the country's Shi'ite majority to ascend.
Violence has eased sharply since its worst years in 2006-2007. But Sunni insurgents and Shi'ite militias still carry out deadly attacks on an almost daily basis.
Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters.