Sunnis pull out of Iraq talks after mosque attack
BAGHDAD (AP) — Sunni lawmakers pulled out of talks on forming a new Iraqi government after militants attacked a Sunni mosque in a volatile province outside Baghdad during Friday prayers, killing at least 64 people.
It was not immediately clear if the attack was carried out by Shiite militiamen or the Islamic State extremist group, which has been advancing into the ethnically and communally mixed Diyala province and has been known to kill fellow Sunni Muslims who refuse to submit to its leadership.
But Sunni lawmakers pointed to powerful Shiite militias, and two major parliamentary blocs pulled out of talks on forming a new Cabinet, setting up a major challenge for prime minister-designate Haider al-Abadi, a Shiite who is struggling to form an inclusive government that can confront the militants.
The blocs affiliated with Parliament Speaker Salim al-Jabouri and Deputy Prime Minister Saleh Al-Mutlak demanded that outgoing Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and the main Shiite parliamentary bloc hand over the perpetrators within 48 hours and compensate the families of victims "if they want the political process and the new government to see the light of day."
The joint statement blamed the attack on "militias" in an apparent reference to Shiite armed groups allied with the government. Sunni lawmakers could not immediately be reached for further comment.
An army officer and a police officer said the attack on the Musab bin Omair Mosque in Imam Wais village, some 120 kilometers (75 miles) northeast of Baghdad, began with a suicide bombing near the entrance, after which gunmen poured in and opened fire on the worshippers.
Officials in Imam Wais said Iraqi security forces and Shiite militiamen raced to the scene of the attack to reinforce security but stumbled upon bombs planted by the militants, which allowed the attackers to flee. Four Shiite militiamen were killed and thirteen wounded by the blasts.
A total of at least 64 people were killed in the attack and more than 60 wounded. Al-Maliki has called for an investigation.
The officials said Islamic State fighters have been trying to convince two prominent Sunni tribes in the area — the Oal-Waisi and al-Jabour — to join them, but that they have thus far refused.
Virtually all suicide bombings in Iraq are believed to have been carried out by Sunni militants, but Shiite fighters used the tactic in Lebanon during that country's civil war. In the chaotic aftermath of a major attack it is often not immediately clear how it was carried out or who was responsible.
Two medical officials confirmed the casualty figures. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media.
Since early this year, Iraq has been facing an onslaught by the extremist Islamic State group and allied Sunni militants. The crisis has worsened since June, when the group seized Iraq's second largest city of Mosul, in the north.
In Diyala, Islamic State fighters have clashed with Kurdish forces guarding disputed territory claimed by the Kurdish regional government in the north. The extremist group pushed Kurdish forces out of the town of Jalula earlier this month after heavy fighting.
The Islamic State group has also clashed with Shiite militiamen and security forces loyal to the Shiite-led government in Baghdad. At the height of Iraq's sectarian bloodletting in 2006-2007 the province was among the country's most lethal areas.
If the attack proves to have been carried out by Shiite militiamen it would deal a major blow to al-Abadi's efforts to reach out to the country's Sunni minority, whose grievances are seen as fueling the insurgency.
Al-Abadi has until Sept. 10 to submit a list of Cabinet members to parliament for approval, but such deadlines have often passed without action because of political wrangling.
On Friday Iraq's top Shiite cleric again called upon national leaders to settle their differences in a "realistic and doable" manner and swiftly form a new government to confront the Sunni insurgency.
Al-Sistani warned that politicians' "demands and conditions could derail the forming of the new government." The reclusive cleric's remarks were relayed by his representative, Abdul-Mahdi al-Karbalaie, during Friday prayers in the Shiite holy city of Karbala.
Al-Karbalaie also called for urgent aid to be airlifted to residents of a small Shiite town which has been besieged by Sunni militants in northern Iraq.
About 15,000 Shiite Turkmen in the town of Amirli have been under a tight siege and are running out of food and medical supplies. The town is located about 170 kilometers (105 miles) north of Baghdad.
The United States launched airstrikes this month to support Iraqi and Kurdish forces looking to reclaim territory seized by the Islamic State group.
U.S. Central Command said Friday that it conducted three new airstrikes around the Mosul Dam, where clashes with militants continue nearly a week after Iraqi and Kurdish forces retook the sprawling facility with U.S. air support.
Since Aug. 8, the U.S. has launched a total of 93 airstrikes, of which 60 were near the Mosul Dam, Centcom said.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
BAGHDAD (AP) — Sunni lawmakers pulled out of talks on forming a new Iraqi government after militants attacked a Sunni mosque in a volatile province outside Baghdad during Friday prayers, killing at least 64 people.
It was not immediately clear if the attack was carried out by Shiite militiamen or the Islamic State extremist group, which has been advancing into the ethnically and communally mixed Diyala province and has been known to kill fellow Sunni Muslims who refuse to submit to its leadership.
But Sunni lawmakers pointed to powerful Shiite militias, and two major parliamentary blocs pulled out of talks on forming a new Cabinet, setting up a major challenge for prime minister-designate Haider al-Abadi, a Shiite who is struggling to form an inclusive government that can confront the militants.
The blocs affiliated with Parliament Speaker Salim al-Jabouri and Deputy Prime Minister Saleh Al-Mutlak demanded that outgoing Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and the main Shiite parliamentary bloc hand over the perpetrators within 48 hours and compensate the families of victims "if they want the political process and the new government to see the light of day."
The joint statement blamed the attack on "militias" in an apparent reference to Shiite armed groups allied with the government. Sunni lawmakers could not immediately be reached for further comment.
An army officer and a police officer said the attack on the Musab bin Omair Mosque in Imam Wais village, some 120 kilometers (75 miles) northeast of Baghdad, began with a suicide bombing near the entrance, after which gunmen poured in and opened fire on the worshippers.
Officials in Imam Wais said Iraqi security forces and Shiite militiamen raced to the scene of the attack to reinforce security but stumbled upon bombs planted by the militants, which allowed the attackers to flee. Four Shiite militiamen were killed and thirteen wounded by the blasts.
A total of at least 64 people were killed in the attack and more than 60 wounded. Al-Maliki has called for an investigation.
The officials said Islamic State fighters have been trying to convince two prominent Sunni tribes in the area — the Oal-Waisi and al-Jabour — to join them, but that they have thus far refused.
Virtually all suicide bombings in Iraq are believed to have been carried out by Sunni militants, but Shiite fighters used the tactic in Lebanon during that country's civil war. In the chaotic aftermath of a major attack it is often not immediately clear how it was carried out or who was responsible.
Two medical officials confirmed the casualty figures. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media.
Since early this year, Iraq has been facing an onslaught by the extremist Islamic State group and allied Sunni militants. The crisis has worsened since June, when the group seized Iraq's second largest city of Mosul, in the north.
In Diyala, Islamic State fighters have clashed with Kurdish forces guarding disputed territory claimed by the Kurdish regional government in the north. The extremist group pushed Kurdish forces out of the town of Jalula earlier this month after heavy fighting.
The Islamic State group has also clashed with Shiite militiamen and security forces loyal to the Shiite-led government in Baghdad. At the height of Iraq's sectarian bloodletting in 2006-2007 the province was among the country's most lethal areas.
If the attack proves to have been carried out by Shiite militiamen it would deal a major blow to al-Abadi's efforts to reach out to the country's Sunni minority, whose grievances are seen as fueling the insurgency.
Al-Abadi has until Sept. 10 to submit a list of Cabinet members to parliament for approval, but such deadlines have often passed without action because of political wrangling.
On Friday Iraq's top Shiite cleric again called upon national leaders to settle their differences in a "realistic and doable" manner and swiftly form a new government to confront the Sunni insurgency.
Al-Sistani warned that politicians' "demands and conditions could derail the forming of the new government." The reclusive cleric's remarks were relayed by his representative, Abdul-Mahdi al-Karbalaie, during Friday prayers in the Shiite holy city of Karbala.
Al-Karbalaie also called for urgent aid to be airlifted to residents of a small Shiite town which has been besieged by Sunni militants in northern Iraq.
About 15,000 Shiite Turkmen in the town of Amirli have been under a tight siege and are running out of food and medical supplies. The town is located about 170 kilometers (105 miles) north of Baghdad.
The United States launched airstrikes this month to support Iraqi and Kurdish forces looking to reclaim territory seized by the Islamic State group.
U.S. Central Command said Friday that it conducted three new airstrikes around the Mosul Dam, where clashes with militants continue nearly a week after Iraqi and Kurdish forces retook the sprawling facility with U.S. air support.
Since Aug. 8, the U.S. has launched a total of 93 airstrikes, of which 60 were near the Mosul Dam, Centcom said.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Today at 7:02 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Finance: Amending the Federal Budget Opens the Way to Change Ineffective Paragraphs
Today at 7:00 am by Rocky
» utube 11/23/24 MM&C Reporting-Expectations are High-IMF-Flexible Exchange Rate Regime-Pr
Today at 6:56 am by Rocky
» utube 11/26/24 MM&C MM&C Iraq News-Central Bank Iraq-Monetary Stability Excellent-Budget Law 2023,
Today at 6:56 am by Rocky
» utube 11/27/24 MM&C The National Union explains the reasons for not legislating the oil and gas
Today at 6:55 am by Rocky
» Mr. Al-Hakim: Oil dependence is an economic problem for Iraq, and decentralization is a guarantee of
Today at 6:53 am by Rocky
» Al-Ziyadi: Amending the Investment Law and the Central Bank’s Interaction Guarantee the Success of t
Today at 6:51 am by Rocky
» Iraq signs Mecca agreement to enhance cooperation in combating corruption and recovering its proceed
Today at 6:50 am by Rocky
» Rights Center: 2024 Census Will Not Change Number of House of Representatives Seats.. Explains Why
Today at 6:49 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Oil: Amending a paragraph in the budget enhances oil exports and understanding with Ku
Today at 6:47 am by Rocky
» Will Iraq take the adventure of joining BRICS despite American risks?
Today at 6:44 am by Rocky
» MP: Former Oil Minister Blackmailed Main Suspect in Stealing the Century
Today at 6:43 am by Rocky
» Negative impact on the legislation of laws.. Popular movement criticizes the weak performance of the
Today at 6:40 am by Rocky
» Al-Maliki Coalition: Most blocs support amending the electoral law
Today at 6:39 am by Rocky
» The National Union explains the reasons for not legislating the oil and gas law
Today at 5:13 am by Rocky
» Iraq signs two memoranda of understanding with the Arab Tourism Organization
Today at 5:12 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Committee: Granting investment licenses reduces housing unit prices
Today at 5:11 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Finance: Amending the budget law will allow for changing useless paragraphs and items
Today at 5:10 am by Rocky
» MP reveals latest developments in Personal Status Law
Today at 5:09 am by Rocky
» Salary scale pushes towards hosting Al-Sudani inside the parliament dome
Today at 5:08 am by Rocky
» Intensive meetings with British BP to develop Kirkuk fields
Today at 5:05 am by Rocky
» "Al-Eqtisad News" publishes the full decisions of the Cabinet session
Today at 5:04 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Energy: Iraq continues its efforts to diversify gas supply sources
Today at 5:03 am by Rocky
» What is Iraq's connection? Goldman Sachs: OPEC+ cuts may support oil in the short term
Today at 5:01 am by Rocky
» New understandings between Baghdad and Erbil to export oil via Turkish Ceyhan
Today at 5:01 am by Rocky
» Minister of Communications: We will deal with the global parent company Vodafone, not its branch in
Today at 5:00 am by Rocky
» "Pessimism" about Trump's arrival to the US presidency.. Will it affect the Iraqi economy?
Today at 4:59 am by Rocky
» Iraq is the fourth largest Arab country and the 51st largest in the world in the list of the world's
Today at 4:58 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary criticism follows granting Vodafone the national mobile phone license
Today at 4:57 am by Rocky
» Oil Markets: OPEC+ Plans to Increase Production, Trump's Promises Spark Controversy
Today at 4:56 am by Rocky
» Natural barriers to stop desertification in the country
Today at 4:54 am by Rocky
» Parliament Legality to Al-Sabah: Extending the Legislative Session Aims to Pass Important Laws
Today at 4:53 am by Rocky
» The Council of Ministers takes 19 important decisions
Today at 4:52 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: We succeeded in sparing Iraq the consequences of conflicts
Today at 4:51 am by Rocky
» 20 schools with international standards in Babylon
Today at 4:49 am by Rocky
» Transport to {Sabah}: One million passengers on board the Green Bird in 4 months
Today at 4:48 am by Rocky
» Agriculture to {Sabah}: Strategic work programs to stop desertification in the country
Today at 4:47 am by Rocky
» Food Basket: Improved Quality, Delayed Distribution
Today at 4:46 am by Rocky
» Parliament extends its term and ends reading of three laws
Today at 4:45 am by Rocky
» Great government achievements.. Model school buildings project
Today at 4:44 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary meeting to discuss four important oil files
Today at 4:41 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Committee: We support amending the budget law and we submitted a request to add a new
Today at 4:40 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani stresses the importance of relations between Iraq and Kuwait and the government's efforts
Today at 4:38 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani leaves Baghdad for Spain on an official visit
Today at 4:37 am by Rocky
» Economist: Non-oil revenues to achieve significant growth in 2024
Today at 4:36 am by Rocky
» Transport signs a consulting contract with an Italian company regarding the first phase of the devel
Today at 4:35 am by Rocky
» Iraqi Exhibitions Announce New Exhibitions Next Month
Today at 4:34 am by Rocky
» Integrity: Iraq signs Mecca Agreement to enhance cooperation in combating corruption
Today at 4:28 am by Rocky
» Despite setting the first session... the talks to form the regional government are at a standstill a
Today at 4:27 am by Rocky
» Speaker of the House of Representatives discusses a number of important national issues with the Pre
Today at 4:25 am by Rocky
» Iraqi oil falls again on third day of trading
Today at 4:24 am by Rocky
» Economist: Iraq has a reliable database and the census does not create development but rather facili
Today at 4:21 am by Rocky
» Decisive moves to propose salary scale amendment under the parliament dome
Today at 4:20 am by Rocky
» To solve the overcrowding crisis, Iraq needs to build 10,000 schools
Today at 4:19 am by Rocky
» 64% of Anbar power plant in Hit completed: A qualitative step to enhance energy
Today at 4:18 am by Rocky
» Minister of Interior: We discussed with the United Kingdom ways of security and intelligence coopera
Today at 4:17 am by Rocky
» The possibility of an Israeli strike on Iraq is increasing.. Will the factions stop the attacks if a
Today at 4:16 am by Rocky
» Halt of Iranian gas supplies threatens operation of power plants in Iraq
Today at 4:15 am by Rocky
» The Presidency of the Region announces: The new parliament will hold its first session on the second
Today at 4:14 am by Rocky
» America: Factions in Iraq expose the country to the risk of instability
Today at 4:12 am by Rocky
» Planning reveals the next step of the census: We will visit these families
Today at 4:11 am by Rocky
» Health: Opening of three new factories to produce various medicines
Today at 4:10 am by Rocky
» Health: Ongoing work to develop and create new specialized centers throughout Iraq
Today at 4:09 am by Rocky
» The House of Representatives completes the first reading of the draft law amending the first three-y
Today at 4:07 am by Rocky
» President of the Republic: The necessity of unifying efforts to establish peace and stability in the
Today at 4:06 am by Rocky
» Al-Mandlawi to Kuwaiti Ambassador: The security of the region is indivisible
Today at 4:05 am by Rocky
» Indian Oil Corporation maintains deal to import Iraqi oil
Today at 4:04 am by Rocky
» Iraq's oil exports exceed 103 million barrels last month
Today at 4:03 am by Rocky
» MP angry over obstruction of defense minister’s interrogation: Files threaten Iraq’s security collap
Today at 4:00 am by Rocky
» Cabinet decisions include those related to “voluntary deduction” and Iraqi airports
Today at 3:58 am by Rocky
» For the first time since 2003, non-oil revenues achieve significant growth during 2024 (tables)
Today at 3:56 am by Rocky
» Find out the dollar prices in the Iraqi markets
Today at 3:55 am by Rocky
» A new suspicion in the railways, its heroes are the “22 billion contract team”.. Signing a contract
Today at 3:54 am by Rocky
» Prime Minister sponsors signing of two memoranda of understanding in the field of tourism
Today at 3:52 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Finance Committee discusses amending the three-year budget
Yesterday at 6:40 am by Rocky
» "Rich Iraq" seeks "money" to combat methane emissions: internal and external obstacles
Yesterday at 5:13 am by Rocky
» Increase in foreign remittance sales at the Central Bank of Iraq auction
Yesterday at 5:12 am by Rocky
» Its area is 2.5 million acres, and these are its details.. Work begins on a "large" residential city
Yesterday at 5:09 am by Rocky
» Kurdistan Finance delivers employees' salary schedule to the federal government
Yesterday at 5:08 am by Rocky
» Beggars are sweeping the streets of Iraq.. Their numbers are "large" and 90% of them receive welfare
Yesterday at 5:07 am by Rocky
» Settling tax trust claims
Yesterday at 5:05 am by Rocky
» Launching the National School Health Strategy
Yesterday at 5:04 am by Rocky
» Approval to implement service projects in Babylon
Yesterday at 5:02 am by Rocky
» New container handling berths at ports
Yesterday at 5:02 am by Rocky
» Work: Demand for registration in social security
Yesterday at 5:01 am by Rocky
» Reconstruction: Land Bank to be completed next year
Yesterday at 4:59 am by Rocky
» Aiming to enhance services in schools and prevent diseases, the National School Health Strategy for
Yesterday at 4:58 am by Rocky
» Karmian Festival witnesses the conclusion of commercial and industrial contracts
Yesterday at 4:57 am by Rocky
» Focus on the banking sector
Yesterday at 4:56 am by Rocky
» Minister of Trade: Studies Center is a turning point that serves the Iraqi economy
Yesterday at 4:55 am by Rocky
» Economists: Census is a roadmap for development
Yesterday at 4:54 am by Rocky
» Today's newspapers are interested in Al-Sudani's announcement that the population of Iraq exceeds 45
Yesterday at 4:53 am by Rocky
» International Development Bank: Today's incident was an extortion attempt that did not affect our wo
Yesterday at 4:48 am by Rocky
» thirty-sixth session, chaired by the Minister of Planning
Yesterday at 4:47 am by Rocky
» Closed meeting of the Parliamentary Finance Committee to discuss seven files
Yesterday at 4:46 am by Rocky
» The demographic boom in Iraq: an economic opportunity or a social burden?
Yesterday at 4:44 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani confirms to Russian delegation Iraq's desire to establish a mechanism that brings mutual b
Yesterday at 4:42 am by Rocky
» Parliament holds its session headed by Al-Mashhadani and attended by 168 MPs
Yesterday at 4:41 am by Rocky
» The Iraqi government deducts 1% of the salaries of employees and retirees to donate to Gaza and Leba
Yesterday at 4:38 am by Rocky