Shia's killed in Iraq

[SyrianChristianPatriot]

Bombings across Iraq killed 46 people today striking at police and Shia pilgrims in a torrent of violence that officials had dreaded in the run-up to a Baghdad meeting of the Arab world's top leaders, which the government hoped would showcase the nation's stability.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks, which also wounded nearly 200 people. But authorities have feared al-Qaida or its Sunni sympathizers would try to thwart next week's annual Arab League summit.

The gathering is to be held in Iraq for the first time in a generation. Plans for Baghdad to host the meeting last year were postponed, in part because of concerns about Iraq's security.

One of the deadliest strikes today hit the Shia holy city of Karbala, where officials said two car bombs exploded in a crowded shopping and restaurant area.

Thirteen people were killed and another 50 were wounded in that attack, said local provincial council member Hussein Shadhan al-Aboudi.

"The intention of these attacks is to destabilize the security situation in Karbala and other Iraqi cities and to shake the people's confidence on the government," al-Aboudi said. "It seems that the terrorists want to abort the upcoming Arab Summit in Baghdad. The message is directed to the Arab leaders that Iraq is not safe enough to be visited."

Karbala, 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Baghdad, is a destination for thousands of Shia pilgrims from around the world who visit the golden shrines of two revered imams each day. Five Iranian pilgrims were among the dead.

The wave of violence began after dawn.






We all know who did this.

 

[pak-marine]

may the dead rest in peace .... cowardly act by enemies o irak

 

[kollang]

KSA must pay for it.

 

[Nothing]

Looks like Iraq is new battle ground for ME giants to settle scores now

 

[lem34]

Guys this is so futile. We have to encourage dialogue and peaceful resolution to our issues. We must not take sides etc.

 

[SyrianChristianPatriot]

Looks like Iraq is new battle ground for ME giants to settle scores now

Shia's and Iran already won iraq, Saudi Arabia lost.

Guys this is so futile. We have to encourage dialogue and peaceful resolution to our issues. We must not take sides etc.

Newly released WikiLeaks cables describe strained, even hostile, relations between Iraq and presumed Gulf allies in 2008, with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki accusing neighbours of funding proxy groups to foment violence and destabilise the country.

Detailed State Department cables on meetings between al-Maliki, General Petraeus, and US Ambassador Ryan Crocker also show how much influence the Americans had in Iraq, from security to oil production.

Meeting at al-Maliki's residence on April 14, 2008, a perturbed prime minister launched into an "impassioned" criticism of Iraq's Arab neighbours - Saudi Arabia in particular - and he questioned the need for an upcoming "Neighbour's Conference".

"We have seen nothing positive from Iraq's neighbours: they did not reduce our debt, they did not return their embassies, and they have all interfered in our political, military and financial realms," al-Maliki told the Americans.

In a May 2007 cable, the prime minister told Petraeus and Crocker that: "Iraq's neighbours were conspiring to unseat him and destroy his country. While these nations' leaders publicly state their goodwill toward Iraq, Maliki said, they denounce him as a sectarian leader and finance his country's enemies in an attempt to foment civil war."

Petraeus told al-Maliki that Iran was a "particularly nefarious actor, using its intelligence agencies to support both Sunni and Shia militia activities in Iraq."

Iraq's leader saved his most venomous comments for the House of Saud: "If they (the Gulf Arabs) want to talk about violence, maybe we should have a conference about Saudi Arabia. Most terrorists here are Saudis ... The Saudi people have a culture that supports terrorism. The Saudi government cannot control it, and they cannot get rid of the terrorist institutions that are creating and funding terrorism."

Al-Maliki accused Saudi Arabia's external intelligence chief of fomenting sectarian conflict in Iraq. "I told Vice President Cheney that (Saudi) Prince Muqrin is funding a Sunni army to oppose the Shia army ... I don't want to make threats, but if the Saudis keep saying things about me publicly, that I am Iran's man, then I can say things publicly about them as well," al-Maliki said.

Internal opponents

The series of new WikiLeaks cables also describe in great detail al-Maliki's anger toward perceived opponents inside Iraq. He told Petraeus and Crocker former Saddam Hussein officials had infiltrated the defense department.

"Maliki also questioned his military's ability to take on Al-Qaeda since so many MOD officials were Baathists working with this enemy," a May 2008 cable quotes the prime minister as saying.

The Iraqi leader also complained about the Kurds wanting autonomy in the northern city of Mosul. "Do the Kurds want their own state?" he asked the Americans. If so it will mean "civil war", al-Maliki is cited as saying in a September 2008 cable.

Petraeus told him the threat of force could unravel the progress toward peace in the war-torn country. "Political problems require political solutions," the general said.

The prime minister also took aim at the organization led by the anti-American Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr. "When I said that they are now worse than Al-Qaeda in Iraq, I meant it," declared Maliki. "Nationalists do not fight their own government, and they do not gouge people's eyes out, or break their arms."

Al-Maliki told the Americans he wanted to increase operations against enemy forces in the south, saying he so feared an attack against the Karbala holy shrine that he wasn't sleeping at night.

To do so, more Iraqi security forces and weaponry, especially AK-47s, were needed, he told the Petraeus and Crocker. But the general balked at his assessment. What was really required, Petraeus said bluntly, "were better leaders and more courage."

The leaked US State Department cables also describe the power that Petraeus wielded over the Iraqi government, not just over security matters. The government had apparently raised the price of heavy fuel oil (HFO), which led nations such as Jordan and Syria to buy from other countries. Petraeus urged the PM to address this oil-price issue, which he immediately did.

"PM Maliki interrupted the meeting and called Hussein Shahristani, Minister of Oil, from his cell phone and discussed the situation. Maliki directed Shahristani to lower the price of HFO, in order to stimulate demand for Iraq's excess capacity."

 

[Nothing]

Shia's and Iran already won iraq, Saudi Arabia lost.

Iraq is independent country and no other country or community can claim rights on it... all citizen of ?Iraq has equal right to live in country .. by these internal fighting they are proving it that they don't deserve any thing good.. they need some one like SH who can keep them shut by putting gun in their mouth ..
They have enough oil .. live happily and build infra like GCC

From when you started believing in WikiLeaks cable, then believe leaked emails of Assad also

 

[DRaisinHerald]

The Shia's need to start defending themselves Iraq needs to Find and Hunt down all the Salafis now that it is in closer relations with Iran.

These sort of sectarian violence cases have unfortunately become common place as the War reduced the law and order of Iraq to nothing.
But one question...why do you want these "salafis" to die? What exactly is your problem with them? It's not only "salafis" that kill Shias, but also Shias that kill "salafis", don't forget that.
And don't make ignorant comments as "hunt down these Salafis" crap, they're humans too, and I don't think they should die just become they follow a certain sect of Islam that you don't happen to like.

We should be working to eliminate cases of sectarian violence and killings and not ignorantly say "kill this group" because I don't like his views. I'm sure not even your Christianity teaches you to kill people?

KSA must pay for it.

How do you know the Saudis are behind it?

 

[DRaisinHerald]

Saudi Arabia started Arming the Sunnis and thats what started now the sunnis lost the civil war and the time has come for them to answer for their sins, Hope Iraq comes out in one peace, Iraq's PM already knows this.

Answer for their Sins? What Sins? Every Sunni (1 billion+) must pay for what a few have done? It's called hate speech bro, and you're professing it right now

 

[Alpery]

may the victims rest in peace..
a Christian trying to get conflict between muslims...this is a fetnah
Admins sould ban him..

 

[Hyde]

Some people do not take things seriously, How many times should I have to say please keep your sectarian debates away from the forum. Any more violations will lead to more infractions