April 2010 Baghdad bombings

The April 2010 Baghdad bombings were a series of bomb attacks in Baghdad, Iraq that killed at least 85 people over two days.[1] Hundreds more were seriously wounded.[2]

April 2010 Baghdad bombings
Part of Iraqi insurgency (2003–2011)
LocationBaghdad, Iraq
Date23–24 April 2010 (UTC+4)
TargetMostly Shias
Attack type
coordinated bomb detonations
Deaths85+
Injured145+

The bombings

23 April attacks

On 23 April, over a two-hour time span, a wave of coordinated bombings hit Shia Muslims leaving Friday prayers, Shiite neighbourhoods, and a market.[3][4] The attacks consisted of five car bombs, which accounted for 58 deaths, and approximately 13 bombs in total.[5][6] A car bomb outside the Abdel Hadi al-Chalabi mosque in Al-Hurriya killed five and wounded 14.[5] Three bombs, including two car bombs, in the Sadr City district of Baghdad occurred near the headquarters of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, where followers gather for morning prayers every Friday.[5][7] The bombings killed at least 39 and wounded 56 others in Sadr City.[5] A car bomb and a suicide bomber in the Al-Ameen district in east Baghdad killed 11 worshipers leaving a Shiite mosque after prayers and wounded 23 additional people.[5][6] "Why do they always target us? We are peaceful people. We come to pray and then go on our way," remarked one angry survivor.[6]

Five homemade bombs were also detonated in the predominantly Sunni Al Anbar Governorate killing seven and injuring 11.[7] A police officer responding to the bombings was killed by a roadside bomb.[7] A cluster of houses was damaged in the attack.[7] According to NPR correspondent Quill Lawrence, the bombs were targeted at a police detective and a judge living in the area, both of whom survived.[8] Late on 24 April, the official death toll from the Friday attacks stood at 72.[1] Around 120 people were wounded.[6]

Continued violence

On 24 April, 13 additional people were killed when three bombs were detonated in Western Baghdad.[1][9] The three bombs, which were hidden in plastic bags, injured 25 additional people.[1] The three bombs exploded simultaneously in a billiard hall located in a mixed Sunni-Shiite neighbourhood.[1]

Perpetrators and aftermath

Prime minister Nouri al-Maliki and other officials have blamed Al-Qaeda in Iraq for the bombing attacks.[1] The attacks were widely seen as retribution for the killings of two top Al-Qaeda officials the previous Sunday.[1][6] Security spokesperson Qassim al-Moussawi stated that "targeting prayers in areas with a [Shiite] majority is a revenge for the losses suffered by al Qaeda."[6] Iraqi political analyst Hameed Fadhel agreed, saying, "These are acts of revenge that are intended to send a message to the Iraqi government and the world that al-Qaida's existence will not be affected by the killing of specific leaders."[6] No one has officially claimed responsibility.[1] The government expects "such terrorist acts to continue."[6]

After the attacks, Muqtada al-Sadr offered to "Iraqi security forces to fight insurgents", sparking fear that he might be considering a revival of his Mahdi Army militia.[1] Al-Sadr's aides claimed that he had no such plans.[1] He urged his followers to remain calm and not provoke the United States, but added that he was prepared to have "hundreds of believers" join the Iraqi army and police forces.[1] "The government might ask the help of individual citizens, not from armed groups," presidential aid Ali al-Adeeb responded.[1]

On Friday and Saturday, citizens of the Sadr City enclave of Baghdad took to the streets for at least six separate funeral processions.[1][10] Many of the victims were carried to the holy city of Najaf, 100 miles (160 kilometers) to the south.[10] Some of the mourners supported the idea of reviving the Mahdi Army. "They can provide security. The government cannot," remarked one citizen.[1]

See also

References
  1. Jakes, Lara (24 April 2010). "Iraq bombings raise specter of Shiite militia". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 30 April 2010. Retrieved 25 April 2010.
  2. "Dozens killed in Baghdad in 'revenge al-Qaeda attacks'". BBC News. BBC. 23 April 2010. Archived from the original on 8 August 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2010.
  3. Fordham, Alice (23 April 2010). "Wave of bombs in Baghdad kills 58". The Times. News International. Archived from the original on 30 May 2010. Retrieved 23 April 2010.
  4. Juhi, Bushra (23 April 2010). "Bombs kill 60 in Iraq days after al-Qaida killings". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 26 April 2010. Retrieved 23 April 2010.
  5. "Five car bombs kill 58". The Sydney Mourning Herald. 25 April 2010. Archived from the original on 8 August 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2010.
  6. Mohammad, Muhanad (24 April 2010). "Bombings leave 56 people dead in Iraqi capital". Vancouver Sun. Reuters. Archived from the original on 15 December 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2010.
  7. Myers, Steven Lee; Adnan, Duraid (24 April 2010). "Bombs kill 69 as Iraq faces recount, al-Qaida threat". The New York Times and The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on 22 June 2011. Retrieved 25 April 2010.
  8. James, Frank (23 April 2010). "Iraq Bombings Kill at Least 56 in Shiite Areas". NPR. Archived from the original on 26 April 2010. Retrieved 23 April 2010.
  9. Santana, Rebecca (24 April 2010). "6 killed by blasts in western Baghdad". Associated Press. Retrieved 25 April 2010.
  10. "IShiites bury victims of Baghdad mosque bombings". Associated Press. 24 April 2010. Retrieved 25 April 2010.

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