Iraq churches bombed, 11 die

Search:The WebRediff Home > News > The Gulf War II > ReportIraq churches bombed, 11 dieAugust 02, 2004 15:10 ISTIn the first coordinated against Iraq's Christian minority, at least 11 people

were killed and more than 60 injured in a series of blasts outside five churches in Baghdad and Mosul during services yesterday, report agencies.

The explosions which began after 6 pm hit four churches in Baghdad and one in Mosul. Eyewitnesses said they shattered windows and bloodstained members of the congregations were seen running

out into the streets. A sixth bomb outside another Baghdad church was disarmed by the police.

Iraq's National Security Advisor Mowaffak al-Rubaie said the bombings bore the hallmarks of insurgent leader and Al Qaeda ally Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. He is thought to have personally

decapitated US contractor Nick Berg and South Korean translator Kim Sun-il.

Zarqawi at par with Osama

In other incidents, five people were killed and 53 hurt in a suicide bombing outside a Mosul police station, and a US soldier and three policemen were among seven killed in separate

explosions and shootings across the country.

Expressing concern, a Vatican spokesman described the attacks as "terrible and worrisome."

Condemning the attack, a spokesman for radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, told Al-Jazeera television that "This is a cowardly act and targets all Iraqis."

"This (attack) isn't against Muslims or Christians, this is against Iraq," Deputy Foreign Minister Labid Abawi was quoted as saying.

According to al-Rubaie, Zarqawi was attempting to create divisions between Muslims and Christians in Iraq, in order to force the Christians to leave the country.

Article ToolsEmail this articleTop emailed linksPrint this articleWrite us a letterDiscuss this articleRelated Stories 'Only diplomacy will work' Pride matters for Iraqis Haider may be UN's

Iraq rep Copyright © 2004 rediff.com India Limited. All Rights Reserved.