SJAC Weekly Update: Tuesday, 30 July 2013
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Wave of Deadly Car Bombs Targeting Shia Neighbourhoods Have Killed Dozens in Iraq Highlighting Rising Sectarian Tensions in the Country
By Kathryn Maureen Ryan
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East
BAGHDAD, Iraq – A recent wave of car bombs left at least 51 people dead and more than 200 wounded in mostly-Shia neighborhoods in cities across Iraq after 18 car bombs were detonated on Monday.
The majority of the attacks were carried out in Baghdad, the nation’s capital. Explosives were also detonated in the cities of Kut, Basra, Tikrit, Smawa and Muthanna Providence. The attacks targeted Shia communities and populated centers including a hospital, a bus station, a restaurant and several markets.
Prime Minister Nouri Kamal al-Maliki has tightened security in the nation’s capital in response to fears that more bombs have yet to be detonated. There were long lines at checkpoints in Baghdad as the security services searched vehicles for explosives.
While there has been no immediate claim of responsibility for Monday’s attacks, they have largely been seen as an attempt to widen the gap between Iraq’s Shia and Sunni communities. The Iraq Interior Ministry has placed blame on Al-Qaida and accused the terror organization of trying to widen the rift between Sunnis and Shiites. Following the attacks, the United Nations envoy to Iraq, Gyorgy Busztin called for an end to the senseless bloodshed because the violence could push Iraq back into a sectarian war, saying, “Iraq is bleeding from random violence, which sadly reached record heights during the holy month of Ramadan.”
According to the United Nations, more than 2,500 Iraqis have been killed in attacks since April of this year, the surge in violence marks the highest level of violence since U.S. military forces pulled out of Iraq in 2011.
The surge in violence since April followed a violent crackdown by Iraqi security forces on a Sunni protest camp which left more than 40 civilians dead. Sunnis across the country have protested the Shia led government of Prime Minister Nouri Kamal al-Maliki, claiming an unfair distribution of power and discrimination against the Sunni minority. Under the regime of Saddam Hussein, the country was under the control of the Sunni minority until the U.S. led invasion of Iraq in 2003. While the violence level in Iraq remains below the peak levels it reached during the height of the insurgency in 2006 and 2007 violence remains at its highest levels since 2008, bombings remain common and at least 700 people are believed to have been killed in July.
The recent surge in violence has largely been under-covered by American media outlets, likely as a result of the withdrawal of U.S. forces from the region. However, The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad condemned the attacks, saying that United States “stands firmly with Iraq in its fight against terrorism.”
For further information please see:
Al-Jazeera – Deadly Wave of Car Bombs Strikes Iraq – 29 July 2013
Associated Press – Wave of Car Bombings in Iraq Kills at Least 58 – 29 July 2013
BBC News – Iraq Violence: Wave of Beadly Car Bombs Targets Shias – 29 July 2013
The Guardian – Baghdad Car Bombs Kill Dozens – 29 July 2013
Australia-bound Boat Carrying Asylum Seekers Sinks
By Kevin M. Mathewson
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia
JAVA, Indonesia — A boat carrying Australia-bound asylum-seekers sank off Indonesia’s Java Island, killing at least eleven. It was estimated that roughly 200 people may have been aboard the boat that began sinking Tuesday evening. Five children and a pregnant woman were among the eleven confirmed dead.
The rescued asylum-seekers said they were from Iraq, Iran, Sri Lanka and Syria.
The head of the local rescue agency has said the rescued are being held in a nearby immigration facility.
Every year countless people fleeing their home countries use Indonesia as a transit point. From there they board fishing boats bound for Australia. Over 15,000 asylum seekers have arrived in Australia by boat this year. However, hundreds have died on the 310 mile journey.
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced a new asylum policy last week. Under this new policy, all arriving refugees would be resettled in Papua New Guinea, although their claims for asylum will still be assessed in Australia.
“The asylum seeker policy we’ve adopted is about sending a very clear message to people smugglers that if you try to come to Australia by boat you will not be settled in Australia. That is all about destroying the people smugglers’ business model.” said Rudd.
However, critics say Australia’s new policy has them dodging responsibility and handing over its problem to a developing nation. “This is an appalling performance by Australia, which with its monetary wealth is able to pass the buck on to poorer countries.” said Tobias Kulang, an opposition spokesman.
In the meantime, Immigration Minister Tony Burke has promised to visit Australia’s offshore processing center in Papua New Guinea after allegations of abuse have emerged. Former security manager, Rod St. George, recently admitted that some detainees have been raped and assaulted.
“[They’re] not even fit to be used as a dog kennel.” George said about the processing center.
Burke has called the allegations “horrific,” and intends to work through the concerns at the island.
For further information, please see:
BBC News – Four dead after Australia-bound asylum boat sinks – 24 July 2013
Yahoo! News – Indonesia searches for missing boatpeople – 24 July 2013
The Telegraph – Boat carrying more than 100 asylum seekers sinks off Indonesia – 24 July 2013
London Evening Standard – Three killed as Australia-bound refugee boat sinks – 24 July
ICRC: IHL and Multinational Forces Part II: Dick Jackson Weighs in
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Suicide Bomber Attacks Turkish Mission
By Danielle L. Gwozdz
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa
MOGADISHU, Somalia – A car loaded with explosives drove into an office housing Turkish embassy staff in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, killing three people and injuring nine.
Al-Shabaab, the Somali Islamist group, claims it carried out the attack on its Twitter feed.
“Mujahideen forced in Mogadishu have just carried out an operation targeting a group of Turkish diplomats in Hodan district,” al-Shabaab posted.
Al-Shabaab state they targeted Turkey because of their support for the Somali government and wanted to stop the establishment of Sharia. This has not been the first time this group has targeted Turkish institutions.
A diplomat in Istanbul told AFP that the Turkish guards were able to kill two of the attackers before a third was able to detonate his vehicle.
One Turkish security officer was killed when the mission’s guards clashed with the attackers as they tried to enter the complex, one Turkish government official told Reuters.
“Turkey is very active in Somalia and when you are very active you become a target quite easily,” the diplomat told AFP.
Somalia’s government is being backed by international aid aimed at preventing al Qaeda-linked militants from entering in east Africa.
Turkey has given Somalia more than $400 million in aid since 2011 in an effort to help Somalia, most of the money coming from private companies.
These Al Qaeda-linked Shebaab insurgents have carried out multiple bombings and attacks that have ended in many deaths in an attempt to overthrow the internationally backed government.
Later this same day, unknown insurgents carried a bomb into a nearby hotel in central Mogadishu killing two people and wounding around ten.
In June this group attacked a main UN compound in Somalia’s capital, killing 22.
“All the Mujahideen who carried out the operation have returned safely back to their bases inside Mogadishu, preparing for the next operation,” al-Shebaab also stated on its Twitter feed.
“This cowardly act will not shake our commitment to continue working for the brighter, more democratic and prosperous future the people of Somalia deserve,” State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement.
For more information, please visit:
The Peninsula — Attack on Turkey mission in Somalia kills three — 28 July 2013
The Times of India — Suicide attack on Mogadishu Turkish compound kills two — 28 July 2013
Reuters — UPDATE 4-Al Shabaab claim attack on Turkish mission in Somalia, three dead — 28 July 2013
The Jerusalem Post — Car bomb hits Turkish staff building in Somali capital, 3 dead — 27 July 2013
BBC News — Deadly bomb hits Turkish target in Mogadishu — 27 July 2013
Yahoo! News — Suicide attack on Mogadishu Turkish compound kills two — 27 July 2013