25 October 2009 Baghdad bombings
Encyclopedia
The 25 October 2009 Baghdad bombings were attacks in Baghdad
, Iraq which killed 155 people and injured at least 721 people.
The blasts badly damaged St George's church, the only Anglican church in Iraq. Canon Andrew White reported body parts had been blown into the church by the explosion and that a humanitarian medical clinic which operated on the site had been destroyed.
It was the deadliest attack in Iraq since August 2007
and took place very close to where car bombers killed at least 120 people at the Foreign and Finance Ministries two months earlier.
On 11 March 2010, Iraqi police arrested Munaf Abdul Rahim al-Rawi, the mastermind of the bombings. His capture also led to the death of Al-Qaeda leaders Abu Ayub al-Masri and Abu Omar al-Baghdadi. Al-Rawi was called the "Governor of Baghdad" and masterminded many of the other Baghdad bombings since Aug. 2009, according to Major General Qassim Atta, a Baghdad military spokesman.
had been trying to portray the country as safer than the period of heavy violence in 2006–2007. Local politicians said the blasts were trying to destroy faith in Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki
and his ability to secure the country after the U.S. withdrawal. He faces re-election in January 2010, and much of his popularity has rested on the safety of the country. The bombings prompted some Iraqis to reconsider their support for the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister responded, stating, "The cowardly acts of terrorism which occurred today, must not weaken the resolution of Iraqis to continue their journey and to fight the followers of the fallen regime, the Baathists and al-Qaeda".
issued the statement: "Canada is appalled and gravely concerned by today’s two deadly bomb attacks in Baghdad, near the Justice and Foreign Affairs Government buildings, which took many innocent lives... Canada condemns these cruel and unjustified acts of violence. We are confident that such affronts on the Iraqi people will not weaken the country’s strong desire to establish a secure, stable and unified democracy... On behalf of all Canadians, I offer my sincere condolences to the families and friends of those killed and injured in the bombings. Our thoughts are with the Iraqi people... The Government of Canada stands firmly with the Iraqi people to help strengthen freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Iraq.": China said it was shocked by the car bombings in Iraq. "China opposes terrorism in any form, and hopes that Iraq will realize national security, stability and development at an early date," Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said in a press release.: Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner
said in a statement "I condemn with the utmost firmness the double suicide attack perpetrated today in Baghdad ... In this dramatic ordeal, France assures the people and the government of Iraq of its full solidarity.": Iran's foreign affairs minister, Manouchehr Mottaki
said: "Iraq is the prey of terrorism. This is a work of the Ba'th Party. Iran will help Iraq to destroy terrorism".: Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre
denounced the attacks in a press release stating "I strongly condemn this terrorist attack, which has affected so many innocent civilians ... Norway will continue to support the reconstruction of a democratic and stable Iraq.”: President Dmitry Medvedev
condemned the attacks and offered condolences in a telegram to the Iraqi president. He said in the statement "I was outraged and hurt by the news of criminal explosions in Baghdad ... Any manifestation of terrorism against peaceful citizens, governmental, public and religious institutions, no matter what goals and objectives are used to motivate them, has no justification.": Foreign Minister Walid al-Mouallem condemned the attacks as "criminal" in his statement to reporters following meetings with Venezuela's foreign affairs minister. He stated "we condemn criminal acts that target Iraqi people.. such crimes should be condemned because they target stability and security of Iraq.": President Barack Obama
said in a statement: "I strongly condemn these outrageous attacks on the Iraqi people, and send my deepest condolences to those who have lost loved ones. These bombings serve no purpose other than the murder of innocent men, women and children, and they only reveal the hateful and destructive agenda of those who would deny the Iraqi people the future that they deserve." Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in a statement that the U.S. would work together with Iraqis "to combat all forms of violence and attempts at intimidation."
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
, Iraq which killed 155 people and injured at least 721 people.
Attack
The attack was caused by two suicide car bombs, in a minivan and a 26-seat bus, which targeted the Ministry of Justice and the Baghdad Provincial Council building in a quick succession at 10:30 am local time. The Ministry of Municipalities and Public Works, which is approximately 50 metres (164 ft) from the Justice Ministry, also sustained severe damage. Among the dead were 35 employees of the Ministry of Justice and at least 25 staff members of the Baghdad Provincial Council. Among the wounded were three American contractors. A bus carrying children from a daycare next to the Justice Ministry was also hit, killing the driver and 2 dozen children on board as well as wounding six other children.The blasts badly damaged St George's church, the only Anglican church in Iraq. Canon Andrew White reported body parts had been blown into the church by the explosion and that a humanitarian medical clinic which operated on the site had been destroyed.
It was the deadliest attack in Iraq since August 2007
2007 Yazidi communities bombings
The 2007 Yazidi communities bombings occurred at around 8pm local time on August 14, 2007, when four co-ordinated suicide bomb attacks detonated in the Yazidi towns of Qahtaniya and Jazeera , near Mosul....
and took place very close to where car bombers killed at least 120 people at the Foreign and Finance Ministries two months earlier.
Perpetrators
Iraqi Deputy Interior Minister Ahmad al-Khafaji told Adnkronos International (AKI) that the bombs were manufactured inside the Green Zone, in a location right next to the blasts. Deputy Minister al-Khafaji said, "It seems the individuals who carried out the attacks had rented a house or commercial premises in a sidestreet of the area they intended to target and gradually sneaked in the bomb-making materials."On 11 March 2010, Iraqi police arrested Munaf Abdul Rahim al-Rawi, the mastermind of the bombings. His capture also led to the death of Al-Qaeda leaders Abu Ayub al-Masri and Abu Omar al-Baghdadi. Al-Rawi was called the "Governor of Baghdad" and masterminded many of the other Baghdad bombings since Aug. 2009, according to Major General Qassim Atta, a Baghdad military spokesman.
Political effects
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-MalikiNouri al-Maliki
Nouri Kamil Mohammed Hasan al-Maliki , also known as Jawad al-Maliki or Abu Esraa, is the Prime Minister of Iraq and the secretary-general of the Islamic Dawa Party. Al-Maliki and his government succeeded the Iraqi Transitional Government. He is currently in his second term as Prime Minister...
had been trying to portray the country as safer than the period of heavy violence in 2006–2007. Local politicians said the blasts were trying to destroy faith in Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki
Nouri al-Maliki
Nouri Kamil Mohammed Hasan al-Maliki , also known as Jawad al-Maliki or Abu Esraa, is the Prime Minister of Iraq and the secretary-general of the Islamic Dawa Party. Al-Maliki and his government succeeded the Iraqi Transitional Government. He is currently in his second term as Prime Minister...
and his ability to secure the country after the U.S. withdrawal. He faces re-election in January 2010, and much of his popularity has rested on the safety of the country. The bombings prompted some Iraqis to reconsider their support for the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister responded, stating, "The cowardly acts of terrorism which occurred today, must not weaken the resolution of Iraqis to continue their journey and to fight the followers of the fallen regime, the Baathists and al-Qaeda".
International reaction
: Foreign Minister Lawrence CannonLawrence Cannon
Lawrence Cannon, PC is a Canadian politician from Quebec and Prime Minister Stephen Harper's former Quebec lieutenant. On October 30, 2008 he was sworn in as Minister of Foreign Affairs...
issued the statement: "Canada is appalled and gravely concerned by today’s two deadly bomb attacks in Baghdad, near the Justice and Foreign Affairs Government buildings, which took many innocent lives... Canada condemns these cruel and unjustified acts of violence. We are confident that such affronts on the Iraqi people will not weaken the country’s strong desire to establish a secure, stable and unified democracy... On behalf of all Canadians, I offer my sincere condolences to the families and friends of those killed and injured in the bombings. Our thoughts are with the Iraqi people... The Government of Canada stands firmly with the Iraqi people to help strengthen freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Iraq.": China said it was shocked by the car bombings in Iraq. "China opposes terrorism in any form, and hopes that Iraq will realize national security, stability and development at an early date," Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said in a press release.: Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner
Bernard Kouchner
Bernard Kouchner is a French politician, diplomat, and doctor. He is co-founder of Médecins Sans Frontières and Médecins du Monde...
said in a statement "I condemn with the utmost firmness the double suicide attack perpetrated today in Baghdad ... In this dramatic ordeal, France assures the people and the government of Iraq of its full solidarity.": Iran's foreign affairs minister, Manouchehr Mottaki
Manouchehr Mottaki
Manouchehr Mottaki is an Iranian politician and diplomat. He was the Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs. Whilst technically appointed by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, he is considered to be closer to more pragmatic conservative factions and during the 2005 presidential election, he was the campaign...
said: "Iraq is the prey of terrorism. This is a work of the Ba'th Party. Iran will help Iraq to destroy terrorism".: Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre
Jonas Gahr Støre
Jonas Gahr Støre is the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, having been appointed to Jens Stoltenberg's second cabinet on 17 October 2005. He represents the Norwegian Labour Party.-Personal life:...
denounced the attacks in a press release stating "I strongly condemn this terrorist attack, which has affected so many innocent civilians ... Norway will continue to support the reconstruction of a democratic and stable Iraq.”: President Dmitry Medvedev
Dmitry Medvedev
Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev is the third President of the Russian Federation.Born to a family of academics, Medvedev graduated from the Law Department of Leningrad State University in 1987. He defended his dissertation in 1990 and worked as a docent at his alma mater, now renamed to Saint...
condemned the attacks and offered condolences in a telegram to the Iraqi president. He said in the statement "I was outraged and hurt by the news of criminal explosions in Baghdad ... Any manifestation of terrorism against peaceful citizens, governmental, public and religious institutions, no matter what goals and objectives are used to motivate them, has no justification.": Foreign Minister Walid al-Mouallem condemned the attacks as "criminal" in his statement to reporters following meetings with Venezuela's foreign affairs minister. He stated "we condemn criminal acts that target Iraqi people.. such crimes should be condemned because they target stability and security of Iraq.": President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
said in a statement: "I strongly condemn these outrageous attacks on the Iraqi people, and send my deepest condolences to those who have lost loved ones. These bombings serve no purpose other than the murder of innocent men, women and children, and they only reveal the hateful and destructive agenda of those who would deny the Iraqi people the future that they deserve." Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in a statement that the U.S. would work together with Iraqis "to combat all forms of violence and attempts at intimidation."
See also
- 19 August 2009 Baghdad bombings19 August 2009 Baghdad bombingsThe 19 August 2009 Baghdad bombings were three coordinated car bomb attacks and a number of mortar strikes in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. The explosives went off simultaneously across the capital at approximately 10:45 in the morning, killing at least 101 and wounding at least 565, making it the...
- List of terrorist incidents, 2009
External links
- http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/25/AR2009102500811.html Images of the attack