More violence in Iraq

The Article


Today in Iraq is the Shi'ite holy holiday of Ashura. A suicide bomber exploded a bomb near a mosque in Baquba and killed eight people and wounded another fourteen. What is interesting about both the location of the attack as well as those targeted in the attack is that over the past few years, the US military has been fighting Sunni and al Qaeda insurgents in the area and the area has been described as very violent. In fact, the article states that suspected al Qaeda attacks have killed over 171 during the holiday of Ashura in 2004. While the article mentions no suspects, (other than the bomber himself), al Qaeda can be considered a prime sponsor suspect. This particular bombing reminds me of what we learned in class regarding terrorist strategies. This is an example of indirect action. Sunni insurgents hope that by committing terrorist acts that the government will brutally repress the people and that the people will respond by revolting against the government. This principle is happening right now in Iraq. In response to previously bloody Ashura's, the government is cracking down on people's liberty in order to minimize death. For example, the government has imposed vehicle curfews all over southern Iraq in order to protect Shi'ites observing Ashura. Sunni militants also hope that their attacks will provoke a violent response by Shi'ites thereby escalating the level of violence in the country.