Iraq: Despite Calls For Calm, Sectarian Violence Continues

Iraq: Despite Calls For Calm, Sectarian Violence Continues

PRAGUE, 25 February 2006 (RFE/RL) -- Violence continues in Iraq, despite attempts by the authorities to contain sectarian attacks that have killed more than 150 people since the bombing of a Shiite shrine on 22 February.

One of today's first attacks was a car-bomb blast at a market in the Shi'ite holy city of Karbala. A policeman approached a parked car, one eyewitness said, and when he tried to open the trunk, the bomb exploded.

At least four people were killed and dozens more injured. But it could have been much worse.

"We immediately transferred the casualties from the blast," one medical officer said. "I myself transferred an injured child to hospital. Thank God the casualties were few."

Meanwhile, other attacks around the country claimed more lives.

Shortly before the Karbala blast, gunmen stormed a house north of Baghdad and killed 12 members of one family, most of them Shi'a.

In Baghdad, at least two people were killed in a bomb attack on the funeral procession of a journalist from Al-Arabiyah television who was killed as she reported from Samarra on 22 February.

And after overnight gun battles around Sunni mosques in the capital, the bodies of 14 police commandos were discovered near one of the sites.

Sliding Toward Civil War?

The incidents are the latest in a wave of violence following the bombing on 22 February of the Golden Mosque in Samarra, one of Shi'ite Islam's most important shrines.

The attacks came despite extra security measures in Baghdad and surrounding areas, including a daytime curfew.

It's all heightened fears that Iraq may be sliding toward civil war.

Today, Iraqi Defense Minister Sa'dun al-Dulaymi called for calm in a press conference broadcast live on television.

And he had a stark warning. "If there is a civil war in this country," he said, "it will never end."

Earlier, on 24 February, U.S. President George W. Bush joined in calling for calm, saying this was a moment of choosing for the Iraqi people.

"We can expect the days -- coming days will be intense. Iraq remains a serious situation," Bush said. "But I'm optimistic, because the Iraqi people have spoken, and the Iraqi people made their intentions clear."

In an effort to contain the violence, the Iraqi government says a ban on car travel in Baghdad has now been extended until 27 February.

(compiled from agency reports)

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Iraq: Despite Calls For Calm, Sectarian Violence Continues