February 26, 2006

Sects and Violence

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From FoxNews: Attacks Kill 29 in Iraq as Curfew Lifts.

Violence killed at least 29 people Sunday, including three American soldiers, and mortar fire rumbled through the heart of Baghdad after sundown despite stringent security measures imposed after an explosion of sectarian violence.

A ban on driving in Baghdad and its suburbs helped prevent major attacks during daylight Sunday, but after nightfall explosions thundered through the city as mortar shells slammed into a Shiite quarter in southwestern Baghdad, killing 16 people and wounding 53, police said. ...

Sunni and Shiite religious leaders have also called for unity and an end to attacks on each other's mosques.

UPDATE -- Feb. 27: From FoxNews: Sunnis Said Ready to End Boycott of Talks.

Sunni Arabs are ready to end their boycott of talks to form a new government if rival Shiites return mosques seized in last week's sectarian attacks and meet other unspecified demands, a top Sunni figure said Monday. ...

Although sectarian violence has receded since the attacks last week, tensions remain high between majority Shiites and the minority Sunnis. Shiites dominate ranks of the government security forces and most of the insurgents are Sunnis.

Posted by Forkum at February 26, 2006 04:53 PM
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