Gorilla’s Guides

The series of bombings in Baghdad and Diyala have caused carnage. There has been a very large number of attacks, bombings, bodies found, and rocket/mortar attacks throughout Iraq today. Due to severe time constraints tonight’s report concentrates deals only with the main bombings. Only one of many other noteworthy report is described below.

Updated: See Updated mclatchy report @ end of posting - markfromireland

Ashurra:

Religious authorities in Najaf have issued a call for the anniversary of the Samarra bombing to be an occasion of national unity, reconciliation, and rejection of sectarianism.

Baghdad:

The massive bombings in central Baghdad are the main story of the day. So far there have been three updates posted, mostly of increases to the toll of dead and wounded. At the time of writing the toll from these two bombings alone was:

1. At least 115 dead.
2. At least 170 wounded

The bombs at Saadoun St. in al-Bab al-Sharqi exploded in sequence at 12:30 and 12:32 and were cascaded - timed to cause panic, maximum devastation, and casualties amongst those present. The location in one of the busiest parts of central Baghdad is important to understand not only the scale of devastation but the purpose of the attacks:

• There are two markets involved, the area is predominantly Shia but what is important is that the markets involved are so important that their customers come from all over Baghdad and are a mix of both Sunni and Shia.
  1. al-Haraj.
  2. al-Sanak
• Both markets are close to al-Tahrir Square and Tayaran squares.
• The al-Haraj bomb was in a parked car it exploded at 12:30.
• The al-Sanak bomb exploded two minutes later as the driver drove into the milling crowd .

The carnage and devastation are described as “appalling” and the damage to shops in al-Sanak in particular is extensive. Al-Sanak is always crowded and was the market from which traders and customers were kidnapped by men “in police uniforms” on December 14th last. Laith who knows the area well discussed this in his report on that incident which you can find here on our previous site:

Al-Sanak market is specialising in car spare parts. But it is not just a market. The merchants there are many of them very skilled mechanics and the area is a mix of workshops and shops. It is therefore a mix of shops and industry zone. And it is always very busy. The men who work there are a mix of Sunni and Shia.

The shrine of Abdul Qader al-Kilani is nearby, there is a green zone government army checkpoint nearby. From the scale of destruction and loss of life at least 100kg of very powerful explosives were used in each bombing. No statements even attempting an explanation as to how such massive bombs were able to be planted at the scene in an area heavily patrolled and checkpointed by green zone government troops has been forthcoming from the green zone government. Today’s press conference from the green zone government spokesman obediently concentrated on denunciations of Iraq’s neighbours and threats to use “the economic card” against them.

The first bomb in al-Haraj was devastating. People present at the bombing spoke afterwards of body parts flying through the air and of people fleeing in panic. The second bomb exploded two minutes later. As well as causualties caused by the bombing itself several people were crushed by panicing survivors desperate to escape the area in case a third bomb was present. The second bombing was on a similar scale. Survivors immediately started to bring the wounded to hospitals using taxis, private cars, and delivery vans, others brought coprses to the morgue. A medical state of emergency has been declared. There are desperate appeals being broadcast for blood donors. Many of the wounded are not expected to survive. Pieces of the dead are still scattered at the bombing scenes and are being picked up and put into plastic bags for disposal.

Analysis:

Despite the area being predomninantly Shia and the fact that the attack was by Sunni attackers it would be unwise to categorise this as a purely a sectarian attack. It is part of the broader continuing campaign first to cut off Baghdad from its hinterland and secondly to prevent the city from functioning to undermine what remains of the green zone government’s authority. I Expect many more such attacks on these markets the current campaign started with last month’s similarly massive suicide bomber attack. My concern about this is that this represents part of a counter surge. Should there be successful similalry massive attacks on Sadr city the effects will be profound.

Reports used (All are in Arabic): Update 3, Update 2, Update 1, Preliminary Report

Baghdad (other bombings and incidents)

The American led “sweeps” of al-Aazamiya in Northern Baghdad continue.

Diyala

A bombing of the vegetable market in al-Khalis killed 12 and wounded 40. The bomb was hidden in packaging close to or on a stall in the market. Once the bomb had exploded the market came under mortar fire.

Analysis:

The coordinated nature of this attack and the attack in Baqubaah described immediately below shows growing confidence and military sophistication on the part of the attackers. While the American occupation army and green zone government commanders for the province made statements to the press today detailing how security in the governorate had improved and were painting in broad and glowing terms the closeness of their cooperation their successes thus far and scope of their future operations gunmen in Baqubaah took over the main government building in Baqubaah looted it and then blew it up. The explosion was so massive that chunks of the building landed a considerable distance from the scene. The mayor of the town was abducted during the operation. His fate is “unknown.”

Remnants of Army Munitions Dump Finally Cleared

The few remaining contents of the army ammunition dump at Abdullah Ibn Alii, 15 kilometers south of Qal’at Salih have been transferred out of the province for disposal. [Acording to local reports very little remains - markfromireland.]

Other Reports Readings And Analyses:

The analysis below by Willian S. Lind provides further context:

MIlitary Matters: Surge about nothing

By WILLIAM S. LIND

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 (UPI) — On the surface, U.S. President George W. Bush’s new surge policy on Iraq adds up to precisely nothing.

In his speech announcing the surge policy on Jan. 10 the president said, “It is clear that we need to change our strategy in Iraq,” but the heart of his proposal, adding more than 20,000 U.S. troops, represents no change in strategy. It is merely another “big push,” of the sort we have seen too often in the past from mindless national and military leadership. Instead of U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Dave Petraeus, why didn’t Bush ask Sir Douglas Haig, the commander of the British army on the Western Front in World War I, to take command?

Link to full articlle by Willian Lind United Press International - Security & Terrorism - MIlitary Matters: Surge about nothing

Mc Clatchy:

McClatchy’s Report on yesterday’s attack is essential reading:

Details emerge of gunmen, posing as soldiers, attacking U.S. troops in Iraq - 1/21/2007 06:56 PM EST
By Leila Fadel and Hussam Ali, McClatchy Newspapers
Chilling details emerged Sunday of gunmen posing as American and Iraqi soldiers in an ambush on U.S. troops in Karbala a day earlier that killed five Americans and wounded three.

Roundup of violence in Iraq - 21 January 2007 - 1/21/2007 06:30 PM EST
By Mohammed al Awsy, McClatchy Newspapers
The daily Iraq violence report is compiled by McClatchy Newspapers Special Correspondent Mohammed al Awsy in Baghdad from police, military and medical reports. This is not a comprehensive list of all violence in Iraq, much of which goes unreported. It’s posted without editing as transmitted to McClatchy’s Washington Bureau.

Reuters Alertnet (First 10 Only)

FEATURE-Christians, Muslims flee Baghdad for Kurdistan
22 Jan 2007 18:04:07 GMT
Source: Reuters
By Shamal Aqrawi ARBIL, Iraq, Jan 22 (Reuters) - A Christian shopkeeper who walks with a limp, Adison Brikha fled Baghdad after he was beaten in his shop. He made it to Arbil, in relatively peaceful … Full article

Iraqis struggle to get by as Jordan tries to cope with influx
22 Jan 2007 17:19:01 GMT
Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees
Up to 700,000 Iraqis have sought sanctuary in neighbouring Jordan and more are expected to follow. Jordan is finding it difficult to cope with the influx, while some of the Iraqis fear they will be repatriated and try to keep a low profile. Full article

CHRONOLOGY-The deadliest bomb attacks in Iraq
22 Jan 2007 17:13:45 GMT
Source: Reuters
(Updates tolls) Jan 22 (Reuters) - Two simultaneous car bombs tore through a busy market in central Baghdad on Monday, killing at least 88 people, Iraqi police said. Here is a list of some of the … Full article

Iraqis should fight occupiers, not each other-cleric
22 Jan 2007 16:54:15 GMT
Source: Reuters
By Odai Sirri DOHA, Jan 22 (Reuters) - A prominent Sunni Muslim cleric on Monday called on warring Sunnis and Shi’ites in Iraq to stop sectarian violence and fight U.S.-led “foreign occupiers& … Full article

Iraq says Turkish politicians stir divison in north
22 Jan 2007 16:32:19 GMT
Source: Reuters
By Aseel Kami BAGHDAD, Jan 22 (Reuters) - Iraq accused Turkish politicians on Monday of fomenting division in its northern areas and said it might bring some form of economic pressure to bear on … Full article

U.S. says killed 93 Qaeda-linked fighters in Iraq
22 Jan 2007 16:23:31 GMT
Source: Reuters
BAGHDAD, Jan 22 (Reuters) - The U.S. military said on Monday 93 rebels were killed and 57 captured in a 10-day operation against al Qaeda-linked insurgents northeast of Baghdad. In an unusually … Full article

Twin car bombs kill 88 in Baghdad market
22 Jan 2007 16:01:45 GMT
Source: Reuters
(Updates with new market blast, CNN report on helicopter crash) By Aseel Kami and Ross Colvin BAGHDAD, Jan 22 (Reuters) - Two car bombs ripped through a busy market in Baghdad on Monday, killing … Full article

FACTBOX-Security developments in Iraq, Jan 22
22 Jan 2007 14:27:47 GMT
Source: Reuters
Jan 22 (Reuters) - Following are security developments in Iraq as of 1400 GMT on Monday: * denotes a new or updated item. * BAQUBA - Gunmen kidnapped Khaled al-Sanjari, a local government official … Full article

CHRONOLOGY-The deadliest bomb attacks in Iraq
22 Jan 2007 13:17:28 GMT
Source: Reuters
Jan 22 (Reuters) - Two simultaneous car bombs blasted a busy market in central Baghdad on Monday, killing at least 75 people, Iraqi police said. Here is a list of some of the deadliest bomb attacks … Full article

FACTBOX-Security developments in Iraq, Jan 22
22 Jan 2007 11:29:28 GMT
Source: Reuters
Jan 22 (Reuters) - Following are security developments in Iraq as of 1130 GMT on Monday: BAGHDAD - At least 67 people were killed and 142 people wounded when two car bombs exploded simultaneously … Full article

For fuller coverage as always I recommend you visit Today in Iraq.

update:

Roundup of violence in Iraq - 22 January 2007

By Mohammed al Awsy

McClatchy Newspapers

The daily Iraq violence report is compiled by McClatchy Newspapers Special Correspondent Mohammed al Awsy in Baghdad from police, military and medical reports. This is not a comprehensive list of all violence in Iraq, much of which goes unreported. It’s posted without editing as transmitted to McClatchy’s Washington Bureau.

Baghdad . — at 12:20 this afternoon 2 car bombs left by the roadside exploded one after the other at the city centre in HARAJ local market were street vendors sell their products. this market usually is very crowded in the morning and noon, specializing in electrical equipment and clothing.

according to the interior ministry source, the driver of one of the cars left car engine on and told people nearby that he was just buying things and would return very soon. 88 civilians were killed and 160 others were injured. the injured people were sent to many hospitals like KINDI , MEDICAL CITY and others, according to general JIHAD AL JABIRI, head of the explosive directorate, more than 80 kilos were used in each car and according to ABBAS AL BAYATI, parliament member of UIA, the terrorists are trying to make the new Baghdad plan unsuccessful and will try to do anything to stop it. in tomorrow’s session we will discuss this terrorist action.

– at 3:20 this afternoon 2 mortars fell in abu atsheer area southern Baghdad in al shuhadaa neighborhood, 2 civilians were killed and 3 others were injured .

DIYALA province. — according to a security and medical source in AL KHALIS town 15km north of baqouba, an IED explosion killed 12 civilians and injured 29 at about 5:30 this evening in a local market and near one of the shiite mosques.

– according to a source from the governor office in diyala, unknown gunmen tried to storm inside the house of the deputy governor of diyala ABDUL AZIZ AL JUBORI. clashes broke out between the gunmen and the guards of the house, 2 of the guards were injured but the deputy governor was not inside the house.

BASRA province. — According to an eye witnesses, unknown gunmen assassinated a liquor shop owner [Christian] in AL JAMAAIAT area 8km west of basra. this happened after some clerics in basra warned the liquor shop owners that they should stop selling liquor in basra.

markfromireland

Indexed under: Al Anbar (Governorate), al-Haraj Market, al-Hurriya, al-Sanak, Aswat Al Iraq - News, Baghdad, Baghdad Markets, Bombings, Briefings, Diyala

Posted on January 22nd, 2007 under Analysis Briefings Commentary, Iraq. Tags: Al Anbar (Governorate), al-Haraj Market, al-Hurriya, al-Sanak, Aswat Al Iraq - News, Baghdad, Baghdad Markets, Bombings, Briefings, Diyala. RSS 2.0 feed. Leave a response, or trackback.