Askariya shrine Before and After
Iraq erupts in violence after shrine bombing
"Shiite Muslims attacked dozens of Sunni mosques across Iraq on Wednesday in retaliation for the devastating bombing of one of Shiite Islam's holiest sites, the Askariya shrine in Samarra. (Video: More on the attack)
At least 19 people were killed in the wave of unrest, according to the Iraqi Islamic Party, the country's largest Sunni political group.
The violence prompted fears among U.S. and Iraqi officials that the country's religious tensions could plunge the country into civil war.
"This ugly new crime ... is a conspiracy against the Iraqi people to spark a war among brothers," said President Jalal Talabani, an ethnic Kurd and secular Sunni Muslim. "This is the fiercest danger because it threatens our unity and our country with a devastating civil war."
Iraqi police said at least 28 Sunni mosques were damaged in the wave of retaliatory attacks. The Iraqi Islamic Party put the number at 90, including more than 50 in Baghdad — that were shot at, burned or taken over by Shiites.
The United States urged restraint. "The Iraqi people, in this hour of sadness and anger over a despicable crime, must not allow themselves to be divided," said U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad and Gen. George Casey, the ranking U.S. officer in Iraq, in a statement.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Hey Fools, How's that 'Democracy' Working Out in Iraq?
Askariya shrine Before and After
Iraq erupts in violence after shrine bombing
"Shiite Muslims attacked dozens of Sunni mosques across Iraq on Wednesday in retaliation for the devastating bombing of one of Shiite Islam's holiest sites, the Askariya shrine in Samarra. (Video: More on the attack)
At least 19 people were killed in the wave of unrest, according to the Iraqi Islamic Party, the country's largest Sunni political group.
The violence prompted fears among U.S. and Iraqi officials that the country's religious tensions could plunge the country into civil war.
"This ugly new crime ... is a conspiracy against the Iraqi people to spark a war among brothers," said President Jalal Talabani, an ethnic Kurd and secular Sunni Muslim. "This is the fiercest danger because it threatens our unity and our country with a devastating civil war."
Iraqi police said at least 28 Sunni mosques were damaged in the wave of retaliatory attacks. The Iraqi Islamic Party put the number at 90, including more than 50 in Baghdad — that were shot at, burned or taken over by Shiites.
The United States urged restraint. "The Iraqi people, in this hour of sadness and anger over a despicable crime, must not allow themselves to be divided," said U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad and Gen. George Casey, the ranking U.S. officer in Iraq, in a statement.
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