|
Kurdistan: Al-Qaeda Suspected of Sulaimaniyah
Bombing
20.3.2008
By Rebaz Mahmood in Sulaimaniyah (ICR No. 250,
20-Mar-08) |
|
|
 |
Analysts believe Muslim extremists active in city
which has mostly escaped the violence that has
blighted rest of country.
March 20, 2008
Sulaimaniyah, Kurdistan Region 'Iraq',--
Islamic militants may have bombed a top
international hotel in the city because of its links
to the ruling party in the region, say local
security analysts.
They believed the extremists are linked to al-Qaeda
and are active in Sulaimaniyah, despite the strong
Kurdish security presence.
A suicide bomber blew himself up in
his car on March 10 in front of the
Sulaimaniyah Palace, the top international hotel in
this quiet Kurdish city. The attack - the first
bombing here since October 2005 - killed a security
guard and injured 30 people.
|
Al-Qaeda Suspected of Sulaimaniyah Bombing |
Security sources refused to comment on the
investigation, the bomber’s identity or possible
motives for the attack, saying they would not
release details to the press until they have solid
information.
The suicide bomber was believed to be a young man in
his twenties, according to the security forces. No
one has taken responsibility for the attack.
“We didn’t know anything about the attack before it
happened,” said Saifadeen Ali, head of security
forces for areas controlled by the Patriotic Union
of Kurdistan, PUK.
Sulaimaniyah deputy interior minister Ahmed Mussa
said that the authorities have beefed up security
and checkpoints as Iraqi Kurdistan prepares to
celebrate Norooz, the new year, on Friday.
In a statement, the Kurdistan Regional Government
described the outrage as a “cowardly attack on
innocent people” and promised to redouble efforts to
protect its citizens.
“We are committed to enabling the people of
Kurdistan to go about their daily lives in peace,”
said the KRG.
But Sulaimaniyah residents, who have enjoyed more
peace and stability than any other region in Iraq,
said they were shocked and frightened by the attack.
“This explosion reminded us that we are not safe,”
said Payam Bahadeen,www.ekurd.net
a 21-year-old student at Sulaimaniyah university.
“When I leave home to go to university, I have
thoughts that I may die that day.”
Sulaimaniyah Palace, located in the heart of the
city, is frequented by international business
travellers and high-powered Kurdish officials. It is
owned by the PUK.
The attack shattered the hotel’s windows and damaged
the concrete barrier in front of the building. The
hotel is now closed for repairs, according to one
hotel employee who asked to remain anonymous.
“This attack is an indication that there are gaps in
the Asayish [security],” said Yousif Goran, deputy
director for the Kurdistan Strategic Studies group,
a Sulaimaniyah-based think tank.
Goran speculated that Sulaimaniyah Palace was
attacked by Islamists because of its location and
powerful patrons. Officials and businessmen
connected to the PUK often use the hotel for
business.
“No one has been named as the mastermind of the
attack, but I believe that it will be either the
Islamic State of Iraq or Ansar al-Sunna,” said
Goran.
Both organisations are linked to al-Qaeda.
“I believe that the Islamic terrorist groups are in
Sulaimaniyah and elsewhere in Kurdistan, but how
strong and effective are they? I think that they are
weak in Sulaimaniyah.”
The attack on the ten-story hotel has hurt local
business. Zagros, a popular supermarket, clothes
shop and cafe, which is connected to Sulaimaniyah
Palace, has lost about 50 per cent of its business
in the last week, said Sirwan Muhssin, director of
Zagros.
As a result of the explosion, the store suffered
losses of around 8,000 US dollars and is launching a
10,000 dollar advertising campaign to encourage
customers to return, said Muhssin.
Hersh Moharram,www.ekurd.net
head of the Kurdistan Investment Board, seems
confident that the outrage will only put off
potential investors temporarily, “Of course this
attack will hurt investments, but it will only be
for a short period of time.”
Nonethless, it appears the authorities will have
their work cut out to reassure the public at large
that the security breach was just a blip.
Deni Jamal, an 18-year-old preparatory school
student, said the explosion has dented people’s
confidence in the security services.
“I hope they will find those who are responsible for
this attack so that life will return to the city and
[we can] trust the security (forces) once again,”
she said.
Rebaz Mahmood is an IWPR-trained journalist in
Sulaimaniyah.
Copyright, respective author or news agency, iwpr
net
* Terrorist attacks in Kurdistan region
'Iraq' by Ansar al-Islam group believed to be linked
to Al-Qaeda:
On March 10, 2008
a Car bomb Explodes outside luxury hotel in
Sulaimaniyah, Iraqi Kurdistan, killing one person
and wounding up to 30.
Seven Kurdish border guards
killed in Iraqi Kurdistan ambush by
Ansar al-Islam terrorist group on July 16, 2007
In May 2005 a suicide bomber
killed at least 60 people and
wounded 150 more when he blew himself
up at the office of a Kurdish party in the northern
Iraqi city of Erbil
On
May 9, 2007 a suicide truck
bomber from Ansar al-Islam kills 19, wounds 70 in
Iraqi Kurdistan's capital of Erbil, Kurdish Ansar
al-Islam terrorist group has
claimed responsibility
for the blast.
May 13 was another bloody day for the Kurds, a
suicide car bomb targeted the headquarters of the
KDP party in Makhmour city in Kurdistan region
killed at least 30 people and
wounded 115 others including the
city's mayor.
Nine members of Ansar al-Islam were arrested for
these terrorist attacks. Security forces in Iraq’s
Kurdistan autonomous region have arrested several
followers of previously tolerated Islamist parties,
accusing them of links to insurgents.
On
February 26, 2007,
Houzan Mahmoud, an international representative of
MADRE's sister organization, the Organization of
Women's Freedom in Iraq, received a death threat by
e-mail signed by Ansar al-Islam terrorist group. The
death threat, delivered via e-mail, read, "With the
permission of Great God, we will kill you either in
Iraq or in London by the middle of March, because
you are campaigning against Islam. You should be
sent to God for punishment."
Reuters | VOI | Agencies
Top |
Kurd Net
does not take credit for and is not responsible for the content of news
information on this page
|
®