25 October 2009 Baghdad bombings
Part of the Iraqi insurgency (2003–2011)
LocationBaghdad, Iraq
Date25 October 2009
10:30 am – (UTC+3)
TargetMultiple
Attack type
Car bombs
Deaths155[1]
Injured721+[1]
Perpetrators Islamic State of Iraq[2]

The 25 October 2009 Baghdad bombings were attacks in Baghdad, Iraq which killed 155 people and injured at least 721 people.[1]

Attack

The attack was caused by two suicide[3] car bombs,[4] in a minivan and a 26-seat bus,[5] which targeted the Ministry of Justice and the Baghdad Provincial Council building[6] in a quick succession at 10:30 am local time.[7] The Ministry of Municipalities and Public Works, which is approximately 50 metres (160 ft) from the Justice Ministry, also sustained severe damage.[8] 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.[9] 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.[5]

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.[10]

It was the deadliest attack in Iraq since August 2007[4] and took place very close to where car bombers killed at least 120 people at the Foreign and Finance Ministries two months earlier.[11]

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."[12]

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.[13][14]

Political effects

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki had been trying to portray the country as safer than the period of civil war from 2006 to 2008. 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.[3] He faced re-election in January 2010, and much of his popularity had rested on the safety of the country. The bombings prompted some Iraqis to reconsider their support for the Prime Minister.[11]

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."[3]

US President Barack Obama strongly condemned the attacks;[4] 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."[15]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Baghdad bomb fatalities pass 150". BBC News. 26 October 2009. Archived from the original on 20 February 2022. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
  2. ^ Londoño, Ernesto (27 October 2009). "Extremist group claims responsibility for Baghdad bombs". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 22 December 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2009.
  3. ^ a b c Shadid, Anthony (26 October 2009). "Bombings rock Iraq's political landscape". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 19 December 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2009.
  4. ^ a b c "Twin Baghdad blasts kill scores". BBC News. 25 October 2009. Archived from the original on 9 December 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2009.
  5. ^ a b Santana, Rebecca (26 October 2009). "Iraq steps up security after blasts kill 155". Baghdad: The Associated Press. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
  6. ^ Norland, Rod (26 October 2009). "Iraq Blast Toll Continues to Rise, Includes Children". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 14 October 2011. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
  7. ^ Shalash, Saad (25 October 2009). "Bloodiest attack in Baghdad in months". Independent News & Media. Retrieved 25 October 2009.
  8. ^ "Deadly bombings worst Iraq attack in two years". CNN. 25 October 2009. Archived from the original on 26 October 2009. Retrieved 25 October 2009.
  9. ^ Santana, Rebecca (25 October 2009). "Bombings Target Government in Baghdad, 147 Killed". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 28 October 2009. Retrieved 25 October 2009.
  10. ^ "Home". Archived from the original on 3 October 2011. Retrieved 29 October 2009.
  11. ^ a b Williams, Timothy (25 October 2009). "Iraq Bombings, Deadliest Since 2007, Raise Security Issue". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 10 November 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2009.
  12. ^ "Iraq: Deadly car bombs 'made inside' Green Zone". Adnkronos International. 26 October 2009. Archived from the original on 13 September 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2009.
  13. ^ "Iraq captures senior al-Qaida leader: spokesman". xinhuanet.com. Archived from the original on 21 May 2010. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  14. ^ "Al Qaeda commander: How I planned Iraq attacks". CNN. 20 May 2010. Archived from the original on 30 September 2020. Retrieved 23 May 2010.
  15. ^ "Obama: Iraq attacks an attempt to derail progress". DailyMe. 25 October 2009. Retrieved 25 October 2009.[dead link]

External links

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