Iraq rebels kill 19 in Ramadan onslaught

[maddezmom]

by Paul Schemm
1 hour, 53 minutes ago



BAGHDAD (AFP) - A series of attacks killed 19 Iraqis at the start of the holy month of Ramadan, with US intelligence services saying the conflict in Iraq had only worsened the global terrorist threat.

The series of insurgent attacks and blasts was largely aimed at security forces, part of a rising wave of violence since most of the Muslim world celebrated the start of the Muslim fasting month on Saturday.

Iraq's majority Shiites, however, won't begin fasting until Monday, an inadvertent sign of the divisions separating Iraq's people, as Sunni rebels said they had executed 10 Shiites from India and Pakistan.

The Al-Qaeda-linked Ansar al-Sunna group said it had executed the men as they crossed the badlands west of Baghdad, claiming they had been sent by the Iranian-linked Badr movement, a former militia.

more:http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060924/wl_afp/iraq_060924120941

[acmavm]

1. Now I wish blivet would take some time to point out the 'good' in

this situation 'cuz I'm having a REAL HARD TIME finding it for myself.

[Eugene]

2. AP: Iraqi Leader Seeks Unity During Ramadan

Iraqi Leader Seeks Unity During Ramadan


Sunday September 24, 2006 2:01 PM

AP Photo BAG102

By MUHIEDDIN RASHAD

Associated Press Writer

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki called Sunday for Iraqi
Shiites and Sunnis to use the Islamic holy month of Ramadan to put aside
their differences and end sectarian violence, a day after a retaliatory
bombing killed dozens of Shiites
in the capital.

A disagreement over the day Ramadan begins showed the depth
of differences between the country's two major Muslim sects. Sunni Arabs
began observing Ramadan on Saturday, while Iraq's most influential Shiite
cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, declared the start of Ramadan
to be Monday.

-snip-

The group claiming responsibility said it carried out the bombing to avenge
a Friday attack by a suspected Shiite death squad on Sunni Arab homes
and mosques, which killed four people in a mixed Baghdad neighborhood.

In a statement, al-Maliki pleaded for unity.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6102011,00.html