The Hindu : Front Page : Blast sets off fears of sectarian clashes

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jan 22, 2005

Front Page

Front Page

Blast sets off fears of sectarian clashes

By Atul Aneja

MANAMA, JAN. 21. At least 13 persons were killed in a car bomb attack on a Shia mosque in Baghdad today, amid fears that sectarian tensions in strife-torn Iraq could rise ahead of the January 30 national elections.

An estimated 40 persons were wounded in the attack on the Al-Taf mosque in southwest Baghdad. The strike took place at a particularly sensitive moment as, people, celebrating Eid, were leaving the building.

Injured men, women and children were rushed to a nearby hospital, witnesses said. The blast set several cars ablaze but apparently did not damage the mosque building itself. Shias are in majority in Iraq, and most of them support the coming elections. A majority of Sunni groups are boycotting the polls. The Sunni dominated areas are also the epicentre of the raging guerilla resistance against the American occupation of Iraq.

The blast followed the release of an audiotape purportedly by the Jordanian-born militant leader, Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi, where he accused the Shias of fighting alongside U.S. forces in Falluja. He said Shias attacked Sunnis in Falluja "with the blessing" of their spiritual leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani. "They broke into the safe houses of God."

Long fight

The tape also said 800 Israeli soldiers had fought alongside U.S. troops during the November operation in Falluja.

The recording, posted as an audio clip on the Internet, warned of a long fight ahead. "The fruits of jihad come after much patience and a lengthy stay in the battlefield... which could last months and years." The tape coincided with the inauguration of the U.S. President, George W Bush.

The U.S. military said an American soldier was killed during a pre-dawn raid on a guerilla base north of Baghdad. On Thursday, guerillas attacked British troops at the Shaibah base near Basra. Nine soldiers were wounded along with many civilians in the suicide bombing. The attack appeared to have been prompted by the circulation of images showing British troops torturing Iraqi detenus.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page