Police and shoppers targeted in growing Iraq violence
Iraqi militants today killed 15 homebound police recruits and nine shoppers buying food for the feast to celebrate the end of Ramadan.
The US military also announced the deaths of a Marine and two soldiers, raising to 81 the number of Americans killed this month – the highest monthly toll this year.
The rising number of US deaths could make October the deadliest month in two years.
In today’s bloodiest attack, gunmen in five cars ambushed a convoy of buses carrying police recruits near the city of Baqouba 35 miles north east of Baghdad, killing at least 15 and wounding 25 others.
The recruits were returning home after an induction ceremony in a police base south of Baqouba.
The Bush administration was wrestling to find new tactics to contain the bloodshed with just over two weeks left before the US midterm elections as senators from both American political parties expressed wavering confidence in Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Maliki’s ability to come to grips with the rising bloodshed.
The politicians said he was the “best horse” for now, but agreed that if no political solution could be found between warring Shiite and Sunni sects, peace would never be achieved.
While the number of Iraqis killed today was not high by the standards of the 44-month-old war, the timing and targets revealed a brutal disregard for the sanctity and meaning of Eid al-Fitr, which is to Muslims what Christmas is to Christians.
After abstaining from food, water, smoking and sex from dawn to dusk for a month to become closer to God, Eid al-Fitr is a time when families and friends gather over sumptuous meals and children are given new clothes and toys.
Muslims traditionally visit the graves of loved ones during the holiday, which is preceded by many days of shopping.
Hasnah Kadhim, a 54-year-old Shiite housewife and mother of four, said: “I don’t think my family will go out and visit relatives this holiday. There are too many explosions.”
Only Sunni Muslims are celebrating the start of the Eid holiday tomorrow.
The country’s majority Shiites begin the three-day festival on Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on which senior cleric they follow.
The Muslim calendar depends on the moon cycle, with months defined by the sighting of the crescent moon. That method of measuring time produces a variety of calendars throughout the Muslim world.
The monthly measurements are further complicated by the differing methods used in verifying the crescent moon has become visible.
Abu Marwa, a Baghdad shopkeeper, said: “It is a part of the problem and evidence of the lack of sovereignty. The state should make these decisions.
“Things are getting worse every day in Baghdad,” he said. “So, it’s logical that today will be better than tomorrow. That’s why I have no plans for the holiday.”
Today’s violence in Baghdad – a series of bombings in shopping districts and the ambush of the police recruits near Baqouba – came within hours of a massive bicycle bomb and mortar attack on an outdoor market the evening before. At least 19 died and scores were wounded yesterday evening.
The Iraqi Islamic Party issued a statement blaming Shiite militiamen for the fierce attack in Mahmoudiyah, 20 miles south of Baghdad. The Sunni organisation claimed the Shiite militiamen had killed 1,000 residents in the town since the start of the year.
In all, at least 44 Iraqis were killed today or their bodies were found dumped along roads or in the Tigris River.
The killings raised to at least 950 the number of Iraqis who have been killed in war-related violence this month, an average of more than 40 a day.
Until this month, the daily average had been about 27.
The actual number is likely to be higher, as many killings go unreported.
The United Nations has said at least 100 Iraqis are now killed daily.
