By Laura Zuber
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East
BAGHDAD, Iraq – On February 1, two pet markets were attacked in Baghdad. It is suspected that the Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia is responsible for the attacks. The first explosion occurred in the Ghazil market shortly after 10 am. The Ghazil market has been attacked five times in the past two years. The market is only open on Fridays and has seen a recent revival since the Friday driving ban has been lifted.
Minutes later, a second explosion occurred in at the New Baghdad bird market four miles away. Reports of the elapse between explosions vary from five to twenty minutes. Iraqi officials estimate that nearly 100 people were killed and over 200 injured, making it the deadliest attack since the US “surge” in Baghdad. US military officials estimate that the number of causalities is fewer.
US and Iraqi military authorities stated that is likely the two female bombers, who attacked two pet markets on February 1, had Down’s syndrome. Major General Jeffery Hammond, commander of US forces in Baghdad, claimed that the women “were used by Al-Qaeda because they were less likely to know what was happening.” In addition to having Down’s syndrome, Iraq’s chief military spokesman in Baghdad claimed that the bombs were detonated remotely; US officials state that they were unsure of how the bombs were detonated.
There has been a recent trend of insurgent groups using female bombers. There have been four such attacks since November. This is attributed to the increase in security check points have aggravated insurgents’ attempts to use car bombs or male bombers. Hammond added that the women were less likely to be searched because of cultural taboos, which disapprove of men searching women, and the lack of female security officers. US Major General Mark Hertling, a commander in northern Iraq stated last month, that there is an increase in recruiting widows of former insurgents as suicide vest wearers.
US and Iraqi government officials condemned the attack and its method as inhumane and immoral. Lt. Col. Steve Stover, US military spokesman for the Baghdad area, said “it sounds like (al-Qaida in Iraq) has stooped to a new low where they’re using people who may not even know what they’re doing and strapped something to them and told them go into a market.” US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice stated that the move showed the “absolute bankruptcy and brutality of the enemy of the people of Iraq.”
The attacks occurred during a recent decline of violence against civilians. Iraq Body Count reports that 767 deaths occurred during the month of January, as compared to 904 in December and 1,100 in November, and more than 2,500 for the months of July and August. This brings concern to officials in the US and Iraq over the disengagement of US troops from the country.
For more information, please see:
Associated Press – US, Iraqis Vow to Avenge Bombings – 3 February 2008
AFP – US Slams “Twisted” Qaeda as Baghdad Bombs Toll Rises to98 – 2 February 2008
BBC – Iraq Market Bombs Toll Nears 100 – 2 February 2008
Financial Times – Insurgents Use Disabled Women in Iraq Bombing – 2 February 2008
New York Times – Two Bombings Wreak Carnage in Iraqi Capital – 2 February 2008
Times (London) – Down’s Syndrome Bombers Kill 91 – 2 February 2008
