BREAKING: Ayatollah Baqr al-Hakim Killed In Najaf Blast

[gp]

Shi'ite Leader Among Up to 20 Killed in Najaf Bombing

Fri August 29, 2003 08:21 AM ET
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Up to 20 people were killed in a car bomb attack outside the main mosque in the Iraqi Shi'ite Muslim holy city of Najaf just after prayers Friday, a leading Shi'ite group said.
"It happened shortly after prayers. It was a car bomb and up to 20 people were killed," Adel Abdul Mahdi, an official of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), told Reuters in Baghdad after receiving reports from Najaf.

Iraqi Shi'ite Muslim leader Mohammed Baqer al-Hakim was among those killed, his nephew told Reuters.

"Ayatollah Mohammed Baqer al-Hakim became a martyr." Mohsen Hakim, who is also a top official for the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI) based in Tehran, told Reuters. He would not give any further details.

Link

[JNelson6563]

1. uh-oh

the term "backlash" comes to mind. But hey, at least Halliburton is rakin' in the dough! Cheney's cool million is assured this year.

Julie

[rooboy]

3. uh oh...

You read my mind. Whoever did this is will be sorry...

[Dhalgren]

7. I am afraid

that whoever did this, we are going to be sorry - or, at least the US soldiers over there.

[Best_man23]

40. This year?

You mean this week.

A million is pocket change to the BFEE.

[Karenina]

2. Booooooo.

NOT good news....

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

4. This may have ramifications we don't even

want to see. We've stirred up a hornet's nest I'm afraid.

[leftchick]

6. isn't this refering to the prior attack

last weekend? :
snip < The latest report of a bombing in Najaf comes one week after a bomb exploded outside the house of one of Iraqi's most important Shiite clerics, killing three guards and injuring 10 others including family members.


The gas cylinder was placed along the outside wall of the home of Mohammed Saeed al-Hakim in Najaf. It exploded just after noon prayers Aug. 24.


The cleric suffered scratches on his neck, according to Abdel-Aziz al-Hakim, a member of Iraq's U.S.-picked Governing Council and leader of what was the armed wing of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq, headquartered in Iran before the war. >

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

9. Yes, it was... I tried to get back and edit the message b4 anyone read

it, but you were too fast for me. Good catch.

[Zero Gravitas]

14. Same man, different attack

al-Hakim survived the earlier attack and now they came back with a more powerful bomb to kill him. APparetnly tehre is a struggle between the younger militant and older more moderate leaders over how to react to the occupation. The militants want an Islamic State and an uprising of theShia against the US occupation.

[hang a left]

15. Ah Hell No

This has US written all over it. Just like the UN

[Zero Gravitas]

24. Why?

Why would the US kill a "moderate" Shia leader? One whose family id collaborating with the US? That does not make any sense.

[hang a left]

25. I am sorry, I suspect everyone

and everything. My thoughts are he was only placed on the councel for appearances. They don't want him there, or, they want to incite more unrest. Just my thoughts

[0007]

5. Was this a spooky plan to scare the Iraqis?

I bet ya can't convince the Iraqi that it wasn't!!!

[ElsewheresDaughter]

8. oh shit!...re-dux 1953? the islamic revolution "all the shah's men"

[papau]

10. His Family chosen by US to represent Shia on Governing Council

Other Shia were not happy that he accepted - his nephew is on council.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

11. WTF...bush is just setting up our children for more death with every

word and move he makes...BRING'EM HOME NOW!!!!!

[Paschall]

12. Now this, after the recess appointment of Pipes

I think Shrubby can kiss the Muslim vote in '04 bye bye.

[jamesinca]

13. I am sorry, I have to view this as U.S. orchestrated.

The Iraqis would not blow up their own people that were opposed to the U.S. That has been said in the past. They feel that those that do business with the Americans are traitors and may be targets, but not those opposed. This was deliberatly aimed at the people of this particular mosque. Is this a form of intimidation by the U.S. against the anti-American crowd? If the Arab world sees it as I do, we will lose 125,000 U.S. soldiers by Christmas, because we just killed an Ayatollah. Alabama and the 10 commandments will be nothing compared to what this will stir up if it is thought to be U.S. originated.

[Kbowe]

16. The world is a much safer place...just hold that thought!

Bring 'em on!!!!

[kentuck]

17. Wasn't he on the Iraqi Governing Council ?

Or do they call it something else now?

[Birthmark]

18. Yes, I believe the new name of the Council is...

...The Muppet Show.

[Junkdrawer]

20. ROTFLOL...

:thumbsup:

[lanlady]

28. no, but his nephew is on the Council

looks like the family will pay the price.

[argonne]

19. Perhaps the new born named

George Bush in Iraq will be designated the new ruler of all of Iraq! All will bow and offer respects to the new infant ruler who will lead Iraq! George Bush of the modern Iraq! Kind of like Moses only different.

[Kbowe]

21. If this isn't a "black bag" job by the CIA or Mossad I will be surprised!

It makes no sense for either al-Qaeda or Saddam loyalists to do this. They are after Americans.

[Junkdrawer]

22. Divide and conquer. n/t

[paulk]

30. get a clue

this was done by radical shiites, who saw the ayatollah and his nephew as too moderate.

this is very bad news for the occupation - why would Mossad or the CIA do something like this?

[Kbowe]

31. Why would Shi ite do this to each other at a time like this?

They all have a common enemy in the US. Makes no sense for them to be turning on each other when they need to take their country back.

[Kbowe]

33. A Muslim would not bomb another Muslim during prayers...CIA,Mossad

that is the only anwer that makes sense. Since we can't beat them into submission, we want them to kill each other. This will keep us from eyeing what Israel is doing in their occupation and will keep Americans in Bush's pocket through fear and loathing.

[paulk]

37. I suggest you use your search engine

and learn a little bit about Islam.

[PsychoDad]

41. And maybe find out...

"Muslims" aren't supposed to blow each other up in the first place?

Religion has NOTHING to do with what is going on over there. It's all politics draped in the cloak of Islam, Just as the Bush cabal drapes itself in the cloak of christanity and Sharon drapes himself in the cloak of Judism. None of these factions are following what their respective religions teach.

And, as always, our media and the viewers thereof, are so shallow as to belive all they see and hear.

[paulk]

44. good point n/t

[rman]

35. how do you know?

you'r just guessing

[saigon68]

46. It is a black bag job.

What better way to get the Shite forces to cooperate if the CIA can convince some of them that Kurds or Sunnis did this.

Kind of like in the trailer park where one groups of toothless wonders uses the police to inform on another group of toothless wonders.

[maxsolomon]

53. au contraire

killing collaborators, or leaders of their clans, is a clear message to all other iraqis that cooperation with the US occupation is not acceptable.

the same message was sent to the UN. don't help the americans.

to me, this suggests saddam is still alive. if we pull out before he's good & dead, he's back in power in a month.

[LoneStarLiberal]

23. Ascendance of Sadr in Shia Community?

If it's true Hakim is dead then we've lost our best hope to have "a guy" in the collective leadership of the Shia community in Iraq. Someone tried to off his brother or uncle or cousin or some relative last week with a bomb outside his office.

The Bush administration, Iraq civil administration (Bremer's crew), and the military have to be collectively shitting themselves at the thought of Sadr gaining greater power in the Shia community. He's bad news for our 30 year stay in Iraq. Bad, bad news.

Actually, I take that back. The Bush administration's policy planners aren't smart enough to know who he is (was?). Jackasses.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

26. Updated story/link as of 9:00 AM CST

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/afp/20030829/wl_mideast_afp/iraq_najaf_blast&e=3&ncid=1473

<snip>
Friday's explosion went off next to Hakim's black Landcruiser and gutted the vehicles of three of his bodyguards, along with a police car and four other vehicles, one of which was thrown against the walls of the mosque. An announcement over the mosque's loudspeakers earlier said Hakim had survived the attack.


An angry crowd outside shouted slogans against Saddam and his now-banned Baath party as rescuers scoured the heaps of brick and metal for survivors.


Severals shops were gutted by the blast, which struck as the faithful left after noon prayers on the main Muslim day of worship. Smoke filled the area as five charred cars burned, with one thrown at least 100 metres (yards). People were buried beneath the rubble of a gate to the compound and of a nearby restaurant and a shop, which were flattened by the explosion.


Iraqi police supervised rescue efforts as a few US soldiers watched on.

<snip>

CATCH THE LAST LINE HERE. What a way to endear ourselves to the general Iraqi populace.

[Junkdrawer]

27. Chalabi is already blaming the attack on "Saddam loyalists"...

Chalabi blamed U.S. forces for not keeping the region secure and said the bombing was the work of Saddam Hussein loyalists who were trying to create sectarian discord in the country.

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/world/WorldNewsTonight/mosqueblast030829.html

Of course, some of us 'tinfoil nuts' will question Chalabi's motives..

[Cooley Hurd]

48. You should've heard him on CNN earlier...

He was HYSTERICALLY ranting and raving that it MUST'VE BEEN SADDAM! He needs to lay off the coffee a bit...

[Junkdrawer]

50. Did you know he heads the Iraqi Governing Council in September???

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=246987

Everyone here seems to dismiss this guy. I think someone has big plans for Chalabi.

[Dover]

29. From the AP as reported in the Intn'l Herald Tribune

http://www.iht.com/articles/108118.html

...The reports could not immediately be confirmed, although there has been considerable unrest among the Islamic factions in the holy city, 110 miles southwest of Baghdad.
.
The latest report of a bombing in Najaf comes one week after a bomb exploded outside the house of one of Iraqi's most important Shiite clerics, killing three guards and injuring 10 others including family members.
.
The gas cylinder was placed along the outside wall of the home of Mohammed Saeed al-Hakim in Najaf. It exploded just after noon prayers Aug. 24.
.
The cleric suffered scratches on his neck, according to Abdel-Aziz al-Hakim, a member of Iraq's U.S.-picked Governing Council and leader of what was the armed wing of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq, headquartered in Iran before the war.
.
The Al-Hakims are one of the most influential families in the Shiite community in Iraq.
.
Iraqi newspapers reported two weeks ago that the cleric al-Hakim had received threats against his life. He also is one of three top Shiite leaders threatened with death by a rival Shiite cleric shortly after Saddam Hussein was toppled April 9.
.
A day after Saddam's ouster, a mob in Najaf hacked to death a Shiite cleric who had returned from exile. Abdul Majid al-Khoei was killed when a meeting called to reconcile rival Shiite groups erupted into a melee at the Shrine of Ali.
.
Shiites make up some 60 percent of Iraq's 24 million population.

[hang a left]

51. OK lets go with this for a minute

Why then would they kill another 74 people along with the Cleric

[LizW]

32. Crap, that's not good (n/t)

[rman]

34. now what? terrorists blowing up their own?

or maybe this car bomb was not the work of those we call terrorists?
CIA at it, again?

[tlcandie]

38. July 21 Shiite CS Monitor report ...for reference. Stating wild card

http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0721/p01s04-woiq.html


<snip>
Every Friday, Mr. Sabih journeys 15 miles to hear a very political sermon at the gold-domed Kufa Mosque. He hears Muqtada al-Sadr, one of the most outspoken anti-American clerics in Iraq, talk about ways to end the US occupation, and the need to turn Iraq into an Islamic state.
<snip>

<snip>
Last Friday, Mr. Sadr gave a particularly fiery sermon, announcing that he was recruiting a private army and blasting Iraq's new US-backed governing council. "If you ignore the governing council, you'll be restoring good to your country," he said, according to the Associated Press.
<snip>

<snip>
The scale of that division came clear when Sadr was asked about leading Shiite Ayatollah Mohamed Bakr al-Hakim's decision to take part in the US-led political process.
<snip>

<snip>
Privately, Hakim's aides go further in discussing the Shiite divisions, and say they hinge on how to deal with the Americans, how to turn the Shiite majority into real political power, and how to strike a balance between religion and politics. They also talk about the best way to aim for an Islamic state, or one that at least deeply respects Islam.
<snip>

[Fleshdancer]

36. I thought I heard on some news network

a couple of days ago that a statement was made (by Saddaam loyalists???) that basically said they were going to clean house so to speak...go after Iraqi's who cooperate with the Americans first before going full force against US troops.

I wish I had paid better attention to the report. I can't remember what group made the statement. There's so much crap going on in Iraq I can't keep up anymore.

[colorado_ufo]

45. This actually is not surprising.

In spite of *'s attempt to paint Saddam Hussein as a type of Islamic extremist, he was very much the other direction. Loved his women and cigars and money (and maybe booze, too). He had one focus in life, and that was to remain in power. I don't think that he would hesitate to blow up a powerful cleric who was cooperating with the U.S. and threatening to unite the Iraqi people under the umbrella of a "New Iraq."

This is also why Osama bin Laden - a true Islamic extremist - gagged at the thought of working with Saddam and was not collaborating with him (at least until * pushed him into a kind of reluctant support).

[Not a robought]

39. CNN now reporting up to 75 dead

Bring 'em on Ass Whistle.

[molok555]

42. No one's bringing up the obvious:

Sunnis. Not strictly Saddam loyalists, but Sunni Muslims all the same.

Could this be less the West Bank/Gaza Strip and more Belfast? Or some insane mix?

[NNN0LHI]

49. Were they bombing each others mosques 6 months ago in Iraq?

Like, before the USA invaded and occupied their country? I never heard about any.

Don

[molok555]

54. No, but were the Serbs and everyone else in Yugo?

Don't think so. Something about chaos...in Yugoslavia it was post-Soviet/communist, in Iraq it's post-war. There's no central authority whatsoever. Thus it's open season on whomsoever you despise.

[starroute]

57. The Sunnis and Shi'ites have not been at odds lately

To some extent, the Shi'ites have been sitting back and letting the Sunnis carry on the first wave of guerrilla warfare while they sort out their own options. But they don't seem to blame the Sunnis for what Saddam Hussein did to them, and the Sunnis have even less reason at this point to be angry at the Shi'ites.

There's even been some tentative cooperation between them. A couple of weeks ago, I saved a few paragraphs from an article which said:

"A popular Sunni Muslim cleric has provided grass-roots and financial support to a leading anti-American Shiite cleric, a rare example of cooperation across Iraq's sectarian divide that has alarmed U.S. officials for its potential to bolster festering resistance to the American occupation, senior U.S. and Iraqi officials say.

"The ties mark one of the first signs of coordination between anti-occupation elements of the Sunni minority, the traditional rulers of the country, and its Shiite majority, seen by U.S. officials as the key to stability in postwar Iraq.

"The extent of the cooperation remains unclear between Ahmed Kubeisi, a Sunni cleric from a prominent clan in western Iraq, and Moqtada Sadr, the 30-year-old son of a revered Shiite ayatollah assassinated in 1999. But ideologically and practically, it represents a convergence of interests between the two figures, who were left out of the Iraqi Governing Council named last month and, in their own communities, have emerged as influential if still minority voices of opposition to the four-month-old occupation."

(I can't find a current link -- but it looks like it was originally a Washington Post story.)

[Oilwellian]

43. A word about Hakim straight from Baghdad

<snip>
Chaos
“Iraq is not a country in chaos and Baghdad is not a city in chaos.” – Paul Bremer


Where is this guy living? Is he even in the same time zone??? I’m incredulous… maybe he's from some alternate universe where shooting, looting, tanks, rape, abductions, and assassinations aren’t considered chaos, but it’s chaos in *my* world.

Ever since the occupation there have been 400 females abducted in Baghdad alone and that is only the number of recorded abductions. Most families don’t go to the Americans to tell about an abduction because they know it’s useless. The male members of the family take it upon themselves to search for the abducted female and get revenge if they find the abductors. What else is there to do? I know if I were abducted I’d much rather my family organize themselves and look for me personally than go to the CPA.

By BBC’s accounts there are 70 cars a day being hijacked in Baghdad alone…

And now we’ve just had some shocking news- Mohammed Baqir Al-Hakim was assassinated in the holy city of Najaf! Mohammed Baqir Al-Hakim was the head of SCIRI (Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq). They don’t know who was behind it, but many believe it is one of the other Shi’a religious factions. There has been some tension between Al-Sadir’s followers and Al-Hakim’s followers. Another cleric, Al-Sistani, also had some interesting things to say against Al-Hakim…

What most people choose to forget is the fact that the Shi’a in the south lost hundreds of thousands of lives to the war against Iran- fighting the very regime that is backing SCIRI now- the Islamic Revolution in Teheran. Al-Hakim does have a strong backing from many Shi’a fundamentalists sympathetic with Iran, true enough, but he also has people who hate him (and Badir’s Brigade) with a vengeance.

I hated this guy for what he represented- a puppet and a supporter of a fundamentalist Islamic government, but this wasn’t the way to deal with it. This is going to result in more bloodshed and fighting. He is the second Shi’a cleric to be assassinated in Najaf- the first was Al-Kho’i who also came from Teheran (back in April).

http://riverbendblog.blogspot.com/2003_08_01_riverbendblog_archive.html

[molok555]

47. Very intersting post

Relevant passage:
"What most people choose to forget is the fact that the Shi’a in the south lost hundreds of thousands of lives to the war against Iran- fighting the very regime that is backing SCIRI now- the Islamic Revolution in Teheran. Al-Hakim does have a strong backing from many Shi’a fundamentalists sympathetic with Iran, true enough, but he also has people who hate him (and Badir’s Brigade) with a vengeance."

What a mess!

[wabeewoman]

52. A link....

to a short overview. I didn't realize Mohammed Baqer al-Hakim was an returned exile.

snip
Al-Hakim returned to Iraq this May after 23 years in exile. Initially he was critical of the occupation. In May, at a rally in Al-Nasiriyah, he portrayed the occupation as a danger to Iraqi national identity.
snip
However, al-Hakim later changed his position and SCIRI chose to participate in the U.S.-appointed Iraqi Governing Council. Al-Hakim's brother became a member of the council.

Al-Hakim himself took a moderate stance towards the Americans. He refused to condemn the U.S. presence or call for jihad (holy struggle) against the coalition.


http://www.rferl.org/nca/features/2003/08/29082003153334.asp

[joanski01]

55. Yep.

Someone had it right the other day. Welcome to Hell.

How's a civil war in Iraq sound?

[seemslikeadream]

59. There you go

The Iraqi Civil War and our troops are in the middle of it.

End the Occupation of Iraqi

Bring the Troops Home Now!

[starroute]

56. I don't believe that any Iraqi would have done this

If somebody had merely taken out al-Hakim, I'd be speculating about possible political rivals.

But this was a car-bombing of the holiest Shi'ite shrine in the holiest Shi'ite city. I mean, it's as the 911 event here had targeted not the WTC and the Pentagon (which, let's face it, were not exactly sacred shrines to core American values) but the Statue of Liberty and the Lincoln Memorial, with sideswipes at Arlington National Cemetery and Plymouth Rock for good measure.

No Shi'ite would have done it -- and I don't believe any Sunni would have dared to do it.

Which kind of leaves only one obvious suspect.

[paulk]

58. wahabbi????

????

[Robin Hood]

60. If it was the CIA,

They did it to try and turn Iraqi sentiment against the guerilla fighters.