8 December 2009 Baghdad bombings
Encyclopedia
The 8 December 2009 Baghdad bombings were attacks in Baghdad
, Iraq
which resulted in the deaths of at least 127 people and injuries to at least 448 more. The attacks have been condemned internationally as acts of terrorism. Opposition parties within Iraqi politics have suggested that the attacks were aided by corruption within the Iraqi security forces and that the Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki
, was incompetent in managing the incident.
The Islamic State of Iraq
has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
The first of the bombings targeted a police patrol in Dora
; this attack also wounded several people at a nearby college. The next four bombings were believed to be targeted at government buildings, and were detonated by suicide bombers
. Islamic State of Iraq
has claimed responsibility for these four attacks; it is unclear if the attack in Dora was connected to them. Burnt out vehicles, believed to be the ones used for the bombings, were found outside the Finance, Foreign, and Justice Ministries.
The attack is the deadliest in Iraq since the 25 October 2009 Baghdad twin truck bombings
, which killed 155 people and wounded 500.
The Iraqi Security forces did not feel that they could handle the aftermath of the attack alone and requested assistance from American forces, who aided them in forensic work and crowd management. American troops also airlifted survivors to hospitals. Prior to the bombing, Iraqi forces had managed to deal with such incidents largely by themselves. Speaking of the latest assistance, a member of the provincial council commented "The Americans are friends and in difficult situations they come to help us."
The day after the attack, the government's security chief for Baghdad was sacked by the Iraqi Prime Minister due to alleged security failings during the bombings.
On 10 December, Al-Qaeda
's Iraqi umbrella group, Islamic State of Iraq
, reportedly claimed responsibility for the attacks via a forum. The group said that they were "determined to uproot the pillars of [the] government". However, whether or not the group claimed responsibility has not been independently verified.
. There is a universal feeling among Iraqi officials that the aim of the attacks was to undermine the Iraqi elections.
Iraq: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki
has said that the attacks were an attempt to "hinder the election" and cause chaos:
Mowaffaq al-Rubaie, the Iraqi National Security Advisor, blamed Al-Qaeda
for the attacks. He said: "[Their] aim is to show the government is unable to protect civilians and its own people and also to deter people from going to ballot boxes." Iraqi Major General Qassim Atta has also blamed Al-Qaeda, commenting that: "This has the touch of al-Qaeda and the Baathists
."
': A spokesman for British Prime Minister Gordon Brown
said that "real improvements" have been made in the security and politics of Iraq, and that "Those who seek to use violence to undermine these efforts will not succeed". Foreign Secretary David Miliband
offered his full support to the Iraqi authorities in their work against terrorism, saying that his thoughts are with those affected. Miliband has added that the Iraqi politicians and people have shown great determination in securing a democratic government.
United States: White House spokesman Robert Gibbs
condemned the attacks, saying that the attacks show that there are those who feel threatened by the fact that Iraq is "moving in the right direction". Vice-President Joe Biden
said "The United States strongly condemns these attacks on the Iraqi people and their elected government," while adding that the US would stand with the Iraqi people as a partner and friend as they build national unity. Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state
, also said that "the terrorists who murdered innocent civilians today will not succeed in undermining the Iraqi people's progress toward a more peaceful and democratic future. The United States will continue to support the Iraqi people as they face down violent extremism and work to build a more peaceful and democratic nation."
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
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....
which resulted in the deaths of at least 127 people and injuries to at least 448 more. The attacks have been condemned internationally as acts of terrorism. Opposition parties within Iraqi politics have suggested that the attacks were aided by corruption within the Iraqi security forces and that the Iraqi 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...
, was incompetent in managing the incident.
The Islamic State of Iraq
Islamic State of Iraq
The Islamic State of Iraq , is an umbrella organization of a number Iraqi insurgency groups established on October 15 2006.The group is composed of and supported by a variety of insurgency groups, including its predecessor, the Mujahideen Shura Council, Al-Qaeda, Jeish al-Fatiheen, Jund al-Sahaba,...
has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Attack
The attack occurred on the morning of December 8, 2009, at approximately 10:30 am. Local residents reported one blast just after 10:00, which was followed about a half hour later by another four blasts in quick succession. By mid-afternoon, officials had reported five blasts in the area. At least four of the attacks are believed to have been coordinated.The first of the bombings targeted a police patrol in Dora
Dora, Baghdad
Dora is a neighborhood in Al Rashid administrative district, southern Baghdad, Iraq. Although this was a majority Christian neighborhood, it became controlled by Sunni Muslim Extremists during the Iraq War...
; this attack also wounded several people at a nearby college. The next four bombings were believed to be targeted at government buildings, and were detonated by suicide bombers
Suicide Bombers
Suicide Bombers is the name of a 2005 EP by Leæther Strip. For the Australian hardcore band see Suicide Bombers -Track listing:# Suicide Bombers# Suicide Bombers # The Shame Of A Nation # This Is Where I Wanna Be...
. Islamic State of Iraq
Islamic State of Iraq
The Islamic State of Iraq , is an umbrella organization of a number Iraqi insurgency groups established on October 15 2006.The group is composed of and supported by a variety of insurgency groups, including its predecessor, the Mujahideen Shura Council, Al-Qaeda, Jeish al-Fatiheen, Jund al-Sahaba,...
has claimed responsibility for these four attacks; it is unclear if the attack in Dora was connected to them. Burnt out vehicles, believed to be the ones used for the bombings, were found outside the Finance, Foreign, and Justice Ministries.
The attack is the deadliest in Iraq since the 25 October 2009 Baghdad twin truck bombings
25 October 2009 Baghdad bombings
The 25 October 2009 Baghdad bombings were attacks in Baghdad, 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...
, which killed 155 people and wounded 500.
Aftermath
As the attacks happened in such quick succession, security forces could do nothing to stop them or curtail the damage. However, Iraqi opposition party leaders have suggested that the attacks were the fault of corrupt security officers and accused Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki of not being able to manage the incident. Colonel Ahmed Khalifa of the Iraqi Army has criticised guards at security checkpoints, saying that "It’s clearly negligence and laziness at fault."The Iraqi Security forces did not feel that they could handle the aftermath of the attack alone and requested assistance from American forces, who aided them in forensic work and crowd management. American troops also airlifted survivors to hospitals. Prior to the bombing, Iraqi forces had managed to deal with such incidents largely by themselves. Speaking of the latest assistance, a member of the provincial council commented "The Americans are friends and in difficult situations they come to help us."
The day after the attack, the government's security chief for Baghdad was sacked by the Iraqi Prime Minister due to alleged security failings during the bombings.
On 10 December, Al-Qaeda
Al-Qaeda
Al-Qaeda is a global broad-based militant Islamist terrorist organization founded by Osama bin Laden sometime between August 1988 and late 1989. It operates as a network comprising both a multinational, stateless army and a radical Sunni Muslim movement calling for global Jihad...
's Iraqi umbrella group, Islamic State of Iraq
Islamic State of Iraq
The Islamic State of Iraq , is an umbrella organization of a number Iraqi insurgency groups established on October 15 2006.The group is composed of and supported by a variety of insurgency groups, including its predecessor, the Mujahideen Shura Council, Al-Qaeda, Jeish al-Fatiheen, Jund al-Sahaba,...
, reportedly claimed responsibility for the attacks via a forum. The group said that they were "determined to uproot the pillars of [the] government". However, whether or not the group claimed responsibility has not been independently verified.
Reactions
The attacks have been internationally condemned as terrorist acts, and condolences have been offered by the US and UK, as well as JordanJordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
. There is a universal feeling among Iraqi officials that the aim of the attacks was to undermine the Iraqi elections.
Iraq: 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...
has said that the attacks were an attempt to "hinder the election" and cause chaos:
Mowaffaq al-Rubaie, the Iraqi National Security Advisor, blamed Al-Qaeda
Al-Qaeda
Al-Qaeda is a global broad-based militant Islamist terrorist organization founded by Osama bin Laden sometime between August 1988 and late 1989. It operates as a network comprising both a multinational, stateless army and a radical Sunni Muslim movement calling for global Jihad...
for the attacks. He said: "[Their] aim is to show the government is unable to protect civilians and its own people and also to deter people from going to ballot boxes." Iraqi Major General Qassim Atta has also blamed Al-Qaeda, commenting that: "This has the touch of al-Qaeda and the Baathists
Baath Party
The Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party was a political party mixing Arab nationalist and Arab socialist interests, opposed to Western imperialism, and calling for the renaissance or resurrection and unification of the Arab world into a single state. Ba'ath is also spelled Ba'th or Baath and means...
."
': A spokesman for British Prime Minister Gordon Brown
Gordon Brown
James Gordon Brown is a British Labour Party politician who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Labour Party from 2007 until 2010. He previously served as Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Labour Government from 1997 to 2007...
said that "real improvements" have been made in the security and politics of Iraq, and that "Those who seek to use violence to undermine these efforts will not succeed". Foreign Secretary David Miliband
David Miliband
David Wright Miliband is a British Labour Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament for South Shields since 2001, and was the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs from 2007 to 2010. He is the elder son of the late Marxist theorist Ralph Miliband...
offered his full support to the Iraqi authorities in their work against terrorism, saying that his thoughts are with those affected. Miliband has added that the Iraqi politicians and people have shown great determination in securing a democratic government.
United States: White House spokesman Robert GibbsRobert Gibbs
Robert Lane Gibbs was the 28th White House Press Secretary. Gibbs was the communications director for then-U.S. Senator Barack Obama and Obama's 2008 presidential campaign...
condemned the attacks, saying that the attacks show that there are those who feel threatened by the fact that Iraq is "moving in the right direction". Vice-President Joe Biden
Joe Biden
Joseph Robinette "Joe" Biden, Jr. is the 47th and current Vice President of the United States, serving under President Barack Obama...
said "The United States strongly condemns these attacks on the Iraqi people and their elected government," while adding that the US would stand with the Iraqi people as a partner and friend as they build national unity. Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state
Secretary of State
Secretary of State or State Secretary is a commonly used title for a senior or mid-level post in governments around the world. The role varies between countries, and in some cases there are multiple Secretaries of State in the Government....
, also said that "the terrorists who murdered innocent civilians today will not succeed in undermining the Iraqi people's progress toward a more peaceful and democratic future. The United States will continue to support the Iraqi people as they face down violent extremism and work to build a more peaceful and democratic nation."