February 2015 Baghdad bombings explained
On 7 February 2015 three separate bombings in Baghdad, the capital city of Iraq, killed at least 36 people.[1] At least 70 people were also injured.[1] The bombings occurred shortly before a curfew that had been in place for a decade was lifted, but Saad Maan, a spokesman for the Iraqi Interior Ministry, said that he did not think the bombings were linked to the curfew.[2] On 9 February two more bombings occurred in Baghdad, one in Kadhimiya and the other in a northern Baghdad suburb. These bombings killed a total of at least 15 people.[3]
The first attack was perpetrated by a suicide bomber in a restaurant in New Baghdad.[1] The second attack occurred in the Shorja market district, and involved two bombs placed about 25 meters apart from each other.[4] The third attack occurred at the Abu Cheer market.[5] The bombings on 7 February killed at least 22, 10, and two people, respectively.[2] In addition to those dead, the attack in New Baghdad also wounded 45 people, the attack in Shorja wounded 26 people, and the attack in Abu Cheer wounded 15 people.[6]
Perpetrators
Maan has accused the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant of perpetrating the attacks to reassert their presence in Baghdad.[7] ISIL later claimed responsibility for the 7 February attack in New Baghdad, and said this bomber was targeting Shiites.[8] No group or individual has yet claimed responsibility for the 9 February attacks.[3]
Notes and References
- Web site: Bloody Day In Baghdad As Blasts Kill Dozens . New York Times . 7 February 2015 . 7 February 2015 . Fahim, Kareem . 7 February 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150207215737/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/08/world/middleeast/blasts-kill-at-least-36-people-in-baghdad.html . live .
- Web site: Three Dozen Killed in Wave of Baghdad Bombings Hours Before Curfew Ends . NBC News . 7 February 2015 . 7 February 2015 . 7 February 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150207213125/http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/three-dozen-killed-wave-baghdad-bombings-hours-curfew-ends-n302121 . live .
- Web site: Two bombs in Baghdad kill 15 civilians: sources . Reuters . 9 February 2015 . 9 February 2015 . 2 January 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160102184439/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-iraq-violence-idUSKBN0LD0GJ20150209 . live .
- Web site: Bombs kill at least 40 as Baghdad sees end of decade-old curfew . The Guardian . 8 February 2015 . 8 February 2015 . Associated Press . 8 February 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150208120042/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/08/bombs-kill-at-least-40-as-baghdad-sees-end-of-decade-old-curfew . live .
- Web site: More than three dozen killed in series of Baghdad bombings . Christian Science Monitor . 7 February 2014 . 7 February 2015 . AP . 7 February 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150207140130/http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Latest-News-Wires/2015/0207/More-than-three-dozen-killed-in-series-of-Baghdad-bombings . live .
- Web site: Baghdad Bombings Kill Dozens . Wall Street Journal . 7 February 2015 . 7 February 2015 . Associated Press . 7 February 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150207205238/http://www.wsj.com/articles/baghdad-bombings-kill-dozens-1423312331 . dead .
- News: Baghdad celebrates lifting of curfew, despite rash of bombings . Washington Post . 7 February 2014 . 8 February 2015 . Sly, Liz . 7 February 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150207230158/http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/at-least-32-killed-in-3-bombings-in-baghdad/2015/02/07/43c43b7e-aed1-11e4-abe8-e1ef60ca26de_story.html . live .
- Web site: Baghdad curfew ends after bombs kill 40 . USA Today . 8 February 2015 . 8 February 2015 . Salama, Vivian . 10 February 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150210214916/http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2015/02/08/baghdad-curfew-ends/23074335/ . live .
