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Iraqi fear, anger that bombings were not prevented
Thu Aug 20, 2009 9:12am EDT
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By Muhanad Mohammed
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqis seethed at security forces on Thursday after 95 people were killed in the bloodiest day of attacks in Iraq this year, which many blamed on political infighting as parliamentary elections near.
Wednesday's explosions struck at the heart of Iraqi state power, close to Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone complex, devastating the finance and foreign ministries nearby. The scale of the security lapses fostered political conspiracy theories.
"The reason for the blasts was political infighting, and the Iraqi people are the victims," said shopper Munther al-Lamy at a deserted downtown market that is normally a sea of people.
"Security forces at these checkpoints were loyal to particular parties, which is why they let the attacks happen."
Wednesday's blasts wounded more than 1,000 people.
Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said the bomb attacks were a "vengeful response" by al Qaeda to the government's plans to remove most of the city's concrete barriers within 40 days, an effort to restore normal life to city streets.
Life in Baghdad on Thursday was far from normal.
"You can tell people are scared by looking at the market. Only the shopkeepers are here," said store owner Saadeq Jaafar.
The plan to remove blast walls was a display of confidence in Iraqi forces after U.S. troops withdrew from urban centres in June, ahead of a full withdrawal by 2012.
It is also consistent with expectations Maliki will try to seek a new mandate in parliamentary elections in January by claiming credit for improved security.
"These explosions are aimed at toppling Maliki's government. They are the games of political parties, flexing their muscles to show they are the strongest," said shopper Mudher Hameed.
TURNING BACK THE CLOCK
Iraqis had been growing optimistic after the sectarian bloodshed that followed the 2003 U.S. invasion abated in the last 18 months, but for some, Wednesday turned back the clock.
"My fear now is the same I had two years ago. And I think the coming days will be worse, because the elections are life or death for these political parties," said shopkeeper Taha Ahmed.
The Shi'ite Muslim-led government blamed die-hard followers of Saddam Hussein's Baath party or al Qaeda, as well as unnamed "foreign powers" -- an allusion to neighboring states. Continued...
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