21 April 2004 Basra bombs
Encyclopedia
On April 21, 2004, a series of large car bomb
explosions ripped through Basra
, Iraq
. 74 people died and more than 100 were injured. The attacks were some of the deadliest in southern Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein
.
s in central Basra; two in the Ashar area and one in the Old City
. In these bombings, many children on passing buses were killed.
A fourth, separate attack also occurred around the same time in the town of Az Zubayr
. In the fourth attack, two car bombs exploded which killed three Iraqis and wounded five British
soldiers of the 1st Battalion, the Royal Welch Fusiliers
, one seriously. British forces trying to aid casualties were stoned by crowds, who blamed the coalition for not doing enough to protect Iraqi citizens from such attacks.
Car bomb
A car bomb, or truck bomb also known as a Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device , is an improvised explosive device placed in a car or other vehicle and then detonated. It is commonly used as a weapon of assassination, terrorism, or guerrilla warfare, to kill the occupants of the vehicle,...
explosions ripped through Basra
Basra
Basra is the capital of Basra Governorate, in southern Iraq near Kuwait and Iran. It had an estimated population of two million as of 2009...
, Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
. 74 people died and more than 100 were injured. The attacks were some of the deadliest in southern Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein
Saddam Hussein
Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti was the fifth President of Iraq, serving in this capacity from 16 July 1979 until 9 April 2003...
.
The attacks
Three separate bombs exploded outside police stationPolice station
A police station or station house is a building which serves to accommodate police officers and other members of staff. These buildings often contain offices and accommodation for personnel and vehicles, along with locker rooms, temporary holding cells and interview/interrogation rooms.- Facilities...
s in central Basra; two in the Ashar area and one in the Old City
Old City
-Neighborhoods :*Old City , Azerbaijan*Old City *Old City *Old City , Pakistan*Old City Multan, Pakistan*Old City , Tennessee, United States*Old City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States...
. In these bombings, many children on passing buses were killed.
A fourth, separate attack also occurred around the same time in the town of Az Zubayr
Az Zubayr
Az Zubayr is a town in Basra Governorate in Iraq. It has a population of around 90,000.The name is also sometimes written Az Zubair, Zubair, Zoubair, El Zubair, or Zobier.-Early history:...
. In the fourth attack, two car bombs exploded which killed three Iraqis and wounded five British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
soldiers of the 1st Battalion, the Royal Welch Fusiliers
Royal Welch Fusiliers
The Royal Welch Fusiliers was an infantry regiment of the British Army, part of the Prince of Wales' Division. It was founded in 1689 to oppose James II and the imminent war with France...
, one seriously. British forces trying to aid casualties were stoned by crowds, who blamed the coalition for not doing enough to protect Iraqi citizens from such attacks.
External links
- Scores killed in Iraqi bombings April 21, 2004 BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
- 5 Iraqis arrested for Basra bombings April 24, 2004 CBSCBSCBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...