Bomber Kills Shiite Pilgrims In Baghdad

At Least 35 Dead, 65 Wounded In Suicide Attack On Lead-Up To Holy Day Of Ashura

(CBS/AP)  A female suicide bomber blew herself up on Sunday among a crowd of pilgrims worshipping at a revered Shiite shrine in northern Baghdad, killing at least 35 people and wounding at least 65, the Iraqi army said. There were fears the death toll could rise further.

The attack during one of the holiest periods for Shiite Muslims came just as Iraqi forces took the lead on security under an agreement with the United States that went into effect on New Year's Day. Under that agreement, U.S. forces take a back seat on security issues in much of the country following the Dec. 31 expiration of a U.N. mandate for foreign troops.

The bomber blew herself up a short distance from the shrine of Imam Mousa al-Kazim, one of the holiest men in Shiite Islam, the army said, adding that many Iranian pilgrims were among the casualties.

The office of Iraqi army spokesman Brig. Gen. Qassim al-Moussawi said a woman wearing an explosives vest was responsible for the attack, which occurred just before noon in the northern Shiite neighborhood of Kazimiyah.

The attack came as Shiites prepared to mark Ashura on Jan. 7. Falling on the 10th of Muharram under the Islamic lunar calendar, it is one of the most important holy days for Shiite Muslims and marks the death of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson Imam Hussein. The first 10 days of Muharram are often marked by pilgrimages to holy sites around Iraq culminating in the Shiite holy city of Karbala.

The Iraqi police and army have deployed thousands of forces to safeguard worshippers, mostly those heading to Karbala south of Baghdad. The city is home to the golden-domed mosques of Imam Hussein and his half-brother Imam Abbas. Hundreds of thousands are expected to pour into the city Tuesday and Wednesday night for the pinnacle of the pilgrimage.

Maj. Gen. Othman Ali Farhood al-Ghanimy, the Iraqi army commander in Karbala, said last week that thousands of foreign pilgrims had arrived for the holy day - including many from neighboring predominantly Shiite Iran.

Although the suicide attack bore all the hallmarks of the Sunni terror group al Qaeda in Iraq, which has killed hundreds of people in bombings against Ashura pilgrims in recent years, other Islamic extremist groups have used the day to stage bloody attacks.

Among the bloodiest attacks during Ashura were a series of mortar attacks and bombings in Baghdad and Karbala that year 2004 which killed nearly 200 pilgrims and wounded more than 500 others.

Last week, police in the southern city of Basra arrested a leading figure in a messianic Shiite cult, known as the "Soldiers of Heaven," that has battled with Iraqi and U.S. forces during the holiday.

At least 72 people died - mostly cult members - in ferocious battles with police in 2008. The group has sought to invoke chaos as a means of inspiring the return of the "Hidden Imam" - also known as the Mahdi - a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad who disappeared as a child in the ninth century. Shiites believe he will return one day to bring justice to the world.

In 2007, more than 200 members of the "Soldiers of Heaven" cult were killed and 600 people arrested after battles near the Shiite holy city of Najaf as they sought to declare an Islamic state during Ashura. At least 11 Iraqi troops were killed along with two Americans, whose helicopter was shot down during the battle.


Montana National Guard To Iraq

Montana National Guard soldiers in Havre, Kalispell and Libby units are scheduled to arrive at Helena's Fort Harrison today as they prepare for deployment to Iraq.

About 120 soldiers in the 639th Combat Sustainment Supply Company are due at Fort Harrison, and are to leave there for Fort Lewis, Wash., on Tuesday. They have been told that departure for Iraq will be in late January or in February.

In 2005, the 639th returned from 15 months of duty in Iraq.


Iran, Iraq To Increase Economic Cooperation

Iran's state television says Iran and Iraq will increase their economic cooperation to $10 billion in 2010.

The report on Sunday quotes Iranian Vice President Parviz Davoudi. He says the cooperation will be in the energy and trade fields and will also include reconstruction projects in Iraq.

Current economic cooperation between the two countries is about $4 billion.

The remarks come at the end of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's two-day visit to Iran.

This trip was al-Maliki's fourth to Iran since he was elected prime minister.

[promaclaura]

Earache-we cleared the way for a Democratic government and are pulling our troops away. The Iraqis are killing each other, let me repeat for you to understand, THE IRAQIS ARE KILLING EACH OTHER. This scenario didn''t happen under Saddam because he was the "killer" in charge over the other factions. Now they are blowing each other up and it has nothing to do with the U.S., when we leave they will still be killing each other. If Saddam had died naturally, the clashing forces for power would still be killing each other. Stop blaming the U.S. for brainwashed suicide bombers, if it was about the U.S. anymore they would be bombing our men and women which is not the case anymore and hasn''t been for quite awhile. Our mission was to oust an evil dictator and help set up a democratic government, NOT PLAY SHRINK FOR THOSE BENT ON MARTYRDOM.

[ozonmojo]

This incident proves how shallow are the claims of Arab or Muslim solidarity in the face of current violence in the Gaza strip.The Isreali-Palestinian fighting has not stopped Sunnis killing Shiites.This reveals something about the region for those that seek a "lasting solution " to the Palestinian issue.

[motown67usa]

2008 was the year of the female suicide bomber. In 2007 there were only 8 such attacks. In 2008 there were 34 causing 295 deaths and 731 wounded. The tactic is actually a size of desperation by the Islamists. They simply don%u2019t have enough foreigners to carry out these suicide attacks anymore so they have turned to women. Their favorite target has been pilgrims just like today%u2019s attack. There are supposedly 3 clerics who are recruiting women to carry out these attacks. Rather than being based upon religious fanaticism however, the women tend to join out of revenge because they have had a family member killed or arrested by U.S. or Iraqi security forces. For more see: musingsoniraq.blogspot.com

[promaclaura]

Posted by promaclaura at 09:47 AM : Jan 04, 2009....Our mission was to oust an evil dictator and help set up a democratic government, ...and allow Iraqi factions to get back to killing eachother....
Posted by promaclaura at 09:47 AM

Funny, I still remember someone saying something about WMD''''s....


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Posted by earache4 at 09:57 AM : Jan 04, 2009

Wow, you''re going low earache! I never typed "...and allow Iraqi factions to get back to killing eachother....". That is a phrase you added, pretty sad on your part. What can I expect from someone who says it was ok to oust Saddam in the 1st Gulf War and turn around and say it''s not ok anymore because of Bush hate. You''re pathetic for changing my comment and putting my name after it, grow up.

[promaclaura]

Earache, since we both agreed that Saddam should be ousted during the 1st Gulf war, you already know that WMD have no relevance for me or Bush''s part in it. Your argument has everything to do with Bush and nothing to do with WMD. I considered Saddam the WMD from the beginning and throughout Clinton''s administration, you changed your mind based on Bush Derangement Syndrome.

HEAR THAT EVERYONE, EARACHE WANTED SADDAM OUSTED WHILE HE WAS IN SERVICE DURING THE 1ST GULF WAR. Shove that up your a$$, I''m pissed you changed my comment earlier to suit your illogical need to bash Bush.

Let me repeat my first statement, Iraqis are killing each other! They are no longer under a dictator and have a brand new government and yet they still want to blow each other up. This is Iraq''s issue, not ours, as we are not doing the killing.

[promaclaura]

pomaclaura, what planet are you from? I must visit someday!

In any case, thank gawd that the surge is working, right?

Us conservatives has won this war and made them iraq''''s freedom''''s t was gawds will, it was,

mission accomplished.


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Posted by pythoncharly at 11:15 AM : Jan 04, 2009

Barack Obama stated that the "surge" was working. Better update your tactics to fit the new President elect.

[promaclaura]

pythoncharly or Chuck the Snake, I''ll choose the later for you. I usually skip your posts as I''ve already labeled you a blustering weirdo. Please visit the terrorists in the Middle East and scream "waterboard me" as they chop off your head.

[erasmus606]

jbrown88881

So "JT", how''s it going?

[abrame]

pythoncharly or Chuck the Snake, I''''ll choose the later for you. I usually skip your posts as I''''ve already labeled you a blustering weirdo. Please visit the terrorists in the Middle East and scream "waterboard me" as they chop off your head.

Posted by promaclaura

You might want to add the screetcher FloydZeppd to the terrorist lover list.

[promaclaura]

Nutwings like you always want to overlook the FACT that if you nutballs hadn''''t invaded, NONE OF THIS would be happening.

End of story Grandma.


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Posted by FloydZeppd at 03:17 PM : Jan 04, 2009

Yeah right nitwit, it''s ok with you to have Saddam in charge with the authority to kill at will. Saddam''s henchmen enjoyed terrorizing and killing those that didn''t agree with them. Now Iraq has a new government and the once brutalized faction gets to fight back instead of being firing squad fodder. Floydzep the Saddam lover who thinks it''s ok for a corrupt regime to kill the opponents with no end in sight.

Gee and the elected parliament of combined factions all voted to keep us in Iraq, how strange they wanted us to stay.

Ongoing story, junior.

[promaclaura]

I thought your precious "surge" worked? Looks like your failure is firing back up again.

HAHAHAHA!!


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Posted by FloydZeppd at 03:15 PM : Jan 04, 2009

I believe the surge has worked and so does Barack Obama, the new President elect.

[promaclaura]

The largest Iraqi population in the U.S. resides in Dearborn, Michigan. They settled there to escape Saddam Hussein, thousands of displaced Iraqis that are happy to live under GW and celebrating the demise of Saddam.

[promaclaura]

Iraqis in Dearborn have been there for decades, escaping Saddam and embracing the U.S. My brother rented an apartment from Iraqis back in "86", the area already estabished as a refuge from Saddam. These people were the lucky ones who got away, many had to leave family behind and feared their deaths at the hands of Saddam (as Saddam considered them traitors).

[trapbreaker]

GAZA CUT INTO THREE PIECES BY ISRAELI ARMY


Israeli ground troops and tanks cut swaths through the Gaza Strip early Sunday, dividing the coastal territory into three parts and surrounding its biggest city in an effort to prevent Hamas militants from accessing weapons.

At least 40 civilians, including three medics, have reportedly been killed since Israel launched a ground invasion late Saturday, Gaza health officials told the Associated Press.

Since the Israeli offensive began on Dec. 27, more than 500 Palestinians have been killed, including at least 100 civilians, Palestinian and U.N. officials told the AP. Wounded are in the thousands. At least three Israeli civilians and two soldiers have been killed in the same period.

[barsellers]

The issue goes far deeper than religion. Gendercide is normal in Iran.

Check out www.SurviveIran.com

[eraser8818]

That''''s never been one of my nome de plume.

Posted by jbrown88881 at 06:37 PM : Jan 04, 2009

Sorry, I thought you were someone I knew.

[TommyCraig]

Posted by eraser8818 at 07:32 PM : Jan 04, 2009
your not referring to JT "habu" Brown are you?

[rusure5]

Sounds like another Blackwater/al-CIA''da bombing.

It has all the hallmarks.

[cruxsade]

The killings between Catholics and Protestants ended with the Irish. The Shiite-Sunni killings continue.

[grandesign]

group has sought to invoke chaos as a means of inspiring the return of the "Hidden Imam."

Hmmmmm, I wonder where in Baghdad is he? I guess if it were known, it wouldn''t be hidden anymore.

[grandesign]

All religion is evil, if they had a true God why would they need to sell it to you??
Posted by pythoncharly at 08:57 PM : Jan 04, 2009

Maybe, but I''ve often thought that evil normally bought you, with promises of greath wealth and power.

[runningralph]

Saddam Hussein had a WMD. He used it on the Kurds. He had more. He slaughtered people in his own family. His son raped school girls. Saddam defied 17 UN resolutions to allow inspections. He swindled the oil for food program. Why does anyone believe he didn''t have WMD''s?

[wrmscvsuv]

"Saddam Hussein had a WMD. He used it on the Kurds. He had more. He slaughtered people in his own family. His son raped school girls. Saddam defied 17 UN resolutions to allow inspections. He swindled the oil for food program. Why does anyone believe he didn''''t have WMD''''s?"

All of that may be true, but the question remains, has our presence in Iraq been worth over 4000 American lives? I think not. Saddam Hussein was never the threat to us that Adolf Hitler, the Japanese war lords, or Joseph Stalin was.

I say, get out, and the sooner the better.

[rangerdahl]

man in Aspen has bombs to kill folks...man dressed as Santa kills family and their friends by shooting/fire...thugs rape lesbian woman...governor tries to sell senate seat...

is that Baghdad?...nope the US.

They got issues and we got issues. We also had a civil war 80 years after the constition was signed.

[rangerdahl]

earache4:

So what?

[runningralph]

Ask the Kurds if Saddam had WMD''s.

[promaclaura]

Earache, this is the comment you typed in:

"...and allow Iraqi factions to get back to killing each other....".