Dozens of Shiite Pilgrims Killed in Iraqi Bomb Attacks
A wave of coordinated car bombings across Iraq have killed more than 60 people, most of them pilgrims gathering to mark an important religious festival. Thousands of Shiite Muslims are descending on Baghdad this week to mark the death of Imam Moussa al-Kadhim, a grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.
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The majority of terrorist attacks in recent months have been perpetrated by Sunni insurgents against Shiite pilgrims, including an attack on a Shiite relgious office by al-Qaeda affiliate last week. Because the new Iraqi government is controlled mostly by Shiites like Prime Minister Nouri Maliki, there has not been the same level of retaliation that has been seen in years past. However, the frequent attacks in some sections of the country have proven that the withdrawal of American forces has not put an end to the violence, which has become mostly low level war between anti-government, anti-Shia insurgents and state that's still struggling to protect its people.
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One man speaking to Reuters even wondered if the government is occasionally doing more harm than good asking, "Why do they put party headquarters in residential areas and among the civilians? Bombs are still occurring , killing and hurting innocent people."
