Dozens killed in attack on a Sunni mosque in Iraq

Dozens of people were killed Friday in an attack by Shiite militiamen on a Sunni mosque in the town of Bin Wais, in Diyala province in eastern Iraq. Sectarian attack represents a new blow to attempts by the Shiite Haider al Abadi to form a new government that integrates different faiths and ethnicity in the country since early this year hit by terror jihadist Islamic State (EI) has told in their advance to the north and west of Iraq with the support of Sunni tribes, facing the former government of Nuri al-Maliki also Shia.

A morgue official confirmed that 68 people had been killed in sectarian attack, which occurred during the Muslim noon prayer on Friday, the holy day in Islam. The bodies were taken by ambulance about 60 kilometers to Baquba, capital of Diyala province, where Shiite militias, many linked to Iran, act with impunity.

The Sunni deputy Nahida Dayani, originally from the village where the attack took place, told Reuters that some 150 faithful were in the Imam Wais when militants came after an explosion at a vehicle safety. “It’s a new slaughter. Sectarian militias entered and opened fire on worshipers. Most mosques have no security. “

“Some of the victims were from one family. Some women ran to know the fate of their relatives were murdered, “said the parliamentarian.

An army officer who declined to be identified said the militants arrived in two vans after two bombs exploded in the house of a leader of the Shiite militias, killing three men.

Attacks on mosques in Iraq in the past have resulted in bloody revenge killings. A Sunni tribal leader, Salman al Jiburi said his community is prepared to respond in kind. ” The Sunni tribes will have been alerted to avenge the killings,” he added.

The threat of dismemberment of the country after the capture by the militants first EI in the western province of Al Anbar and then large areas of Nineveh, including its capital, Mosul, has led to a serious political crisis elections last May not resolved.

The finding that the winner, Al Maliki, who aspired to a third term, was unable to muster the support of Sunnis and Kurds to form a government led his main supporters, Iran and the USA, to withdraw their support. Al Maliki resisted for a few days to leave power but had to finally accept the appointment of his fellow Al Abadi.

The EI made rapid conquests and later that month declared an Islamic caliphate in the territories of Syria and Iraq under its control, which has mobilized the battlefield many Shiite militiamen.

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Posted by Jamshed Sindhu on Aug 24 2014. Filed under World. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.