Jundallah Claims Responsibility for Deadly Iran Blasts
VOA News
16 July 2010
The Sunni Muslim militant group Jundallah has claimed responsibility for Thursday's twin suicide bombings outside of a prominent Shi'ite mosque in southeastern Iran.
Iranian officials say at least 27 people were killed and about 270 wounded in the blasts. They occurred as worshippers gathered in Zahedan to celebrate the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson, Imam Hussein. The victims include members of Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard.
Iranian officials have announced three days of mourning in Sistan-Baluchistan province.
Jundallah, or Soldiers of God, says it carried out the attacks in retaliation for Iran's execution in June of the group's leader, Abdolmalek Rigi. Iran had convicted the militant leader of terrorism. On its website, the group warned of more explosions to come.
The group also claims it carried out a similar mosque attack two months ago that killed 25 people in Zahedan. And, it says it is responsible for a bomb attack last October that killed 57 people, including several top Revolutionary Guard commanders.
Iran has accused the United States and Britain of funding Jundallah militants in an effort to destabilize the Iranian government. Iran says Jundallah is based in Pakistan. The U.S., Britain and Pakistan all have denied backing Jundallah.
Jundallah members say they are fighting to secure rights for the Sunni Baluchis in Shi'ite-dominated Iran.
Sistan-Baluchistan province, an impoverished area bordering Pakistan, is the base for an insurgency led by the Sunni militant group. Shi'ites in the province have been the target of numerous attacks.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
