Gorilla’s Guides

Updated — see “Late Reports” underneath this section. - Khaled

There are several major incidents in Baghdad today.

Bai’aa Bus Pickup Point Bombing

The rush hour (8:30 am) car bomb explosion in the crowded parking lot in the Bai’aa bus pickup point in south Baghdad is so far known to have killed at least 25 people and wounded 40. This toll will rise.

The bomb was in a parked car in the parking lot at the main road into Baghdad’s intersection. This is where Baghdadis from the densely populated Southern suburbs arrive and wait to be picked up by one of Baghdad’s omnipresent Kia minibuses that hold 11 people to arrive and take them to work. It was timed to inflict maximum casualties.

The blast left a large crater — looking at the photos the crater seems to be about 10 metres² indicating that a large amount of high grade explosive was used.

The blast charred and destroyed about 40 civilian cars and minibuses at the parking lot where dozens of minibuses carry passengers from southern Baghdad to different neighborhoods of the capital. Most of the passengers inside the Kia minibuses present were either burned, killed or wounded inside the minibuses or in their cars as they parked. Rescuers talk of pulling people caught in vehicles at the periphery of the blast area who were partially melted. This indicates that, as the bomber doubtless hoped, there were numerous secondaries. As well corpses in the vehicles there were many corpses on the ground many of those were also charred beyond recognition, and many were in the “pugilist pose” indicating that they were subjected to extreme heat. There are bits of human flesh all over the place — so many that picking them all up is going to take a few hours more.

Many of those pulled from vehicles are expected to die.

Residents of the area, which has been attacked repeatedly, were well aware that it was a prime target. This report from the independent Iraki newsagency Aswat Al Iraq (Voices of Iraq) quotes one resident as saying:

“We residents of this district know very well that this place would be targeted … we tried to protect the place, by erecting checkpoints around it but the Americans prevented us.”

Television reports are showing pictures of the many people from the neighborhood engaging in rescues attempts and helping transfer the bodies spread over the place to hospitals. Al-Yarmouk would the hospital that would get most victims from this district. So far there are no reports of the Americans or their interior ministry commando buddies opening fire on the rescuers which in this district is surprising.

Al Mansour Gas Station Bombing

The car bomb explosion around 13:00 hours Baghdad time that targeted a queue of people waiting to buy petrol in front of a gas station in Abu Jaafar Al-Mansour killed five people and wounded 12, 10 cars were set on fire by the blast — their fuel tanks exploded.

Al Shorjah Market Mortar Attack

The mortar attack on Al Shorjah market is the latest in a long series of attacks on this vital market, which has been subjected to massive bombing attacks and several major arson attacks.

Two mortar shells landed in the area hitting stalls and damaging shops. Two people were killed 12 wounded.

It’s difficult to exaggerate the importance of this market. It’s a major shopping centre in its own right but far more importantly is a major wholesale hub for all of Irak. Traders, shopowners, and wholesalers come to Al Shorjah daily to buy, sell, and place orders. Many workers and traders here travel in from the adjoining governorates to work and they have been the target of a concentrated campaign of murder and kidnapping.

Update

WNA are now reporting that the Al Shorjah mortar attack toll is now 3 dead and 20 wounded.

Late reports:

Reports From Baghdad

15 Unidentified bodies have been recovered in Baghdad.

The American “embassy” has denied interfering in the case, of the green zone government  Minister of Culture currently wanted for murder. They denied that they had provided information that warned him he was to be arrested and denied having anything to do with the fact that his South American mercenary bodyguards prevented his arrest. (— Nobody in Baghdad believed them.)

Speaking of not believing … Reuters Arabic are reporting that the American army said on Thursday that it was investigating the reports an American attack resulted in the killing  and wounding of residents protecting their homes from attack by terrorists. The American army had issued a statement on June 22 saying that the attack helicopters killed 17 gunmen base south-west of Khalis before dawn that day. The investigation is in response to reports on the BBC and CNN. The Reuters report concludes with this:

“The American army said earlier today, Thursday, that they killed at least 60 Al Qaeda members in the attack that lasted for ten days in that region. In the light of the serious risks in Irak it is difficult for journalists to verify the authenticity of the official accounts of the attacks using independent sources. “

Adnan Dulaimi called upon the green zone government and the American command to expedite the arming of the tribes, saying that such a step was necessary to achieve security in Irak. (The man has a sense of humour)

Muqtada al-Sadr’s office issued a clarifying statement about the proposed march to Samarra.

Prof Dr Nihad Al-Rawi, Assistant to the President of Baghdad University was assassinated at 2.00pm Tuesday 26/6/2007 whilst on his way back home by militia men. The murder took place on AL-Jadriya Bridge, Baghdad and he was accompanied by his daughter Rana. Rana’s clothes became covered with her father’s blood. He will be buried tomorrow morning (Wednesday). (Mosul Observer)

Al Anbar Governorate

Two members of the green zone government police were shot in Andalus market Fallujah one died of his wounds immediately the other is said to be in serious condition.

The Americans started on Wednesday to issue biometric identity cards to Ramadi residents as the have been doing in Fallujah for the last two years.

Dhi Qar Governorate

Companies from Turkey, Iran, the UAE, Kuwait and Jordan have not responded to invitations to tender for construction projects in Dhi Qar despite assurances given by governorate authorities that the governorate would provide protection and facilitation services.

Karbala Governorate

Karbala governorate authorities have discovered and deactivated munitions in a dump 45Kmwest of Karbala. The munitions included grenades, Katyusha rockets, dynamite, and

Maysan Governorate

An explosive device had been planted near a gas station in the industrial zone in Amarah was found and defused by bomb disposal officers following a tip-off from an informant.

Muthanna Governorate

The political situation in Muthanna is growing tense following the failed assassination attempt on the head of the Sadrist office in Samawah on Tuesday and the Sadrist detention of a soldier they considered responsible for the bomb attack on his convoy.  Regional leaders have called upon green zone government leader Maliki to visit Samawah to try to negotiate another peace between the Sadrists and the SIIC (SCIRI) dominated security forces. Maliki has accepted the invitation and was likely to visit Samawah within days. Among the matters to be resolved will be the reabsorbtion of paramilitary guards into green zone government forces.

Najaf Governorate

A Turkish delegation met governorate authorities in Najaf to present the capabilities of Turkish companies in building bridges, turnkey construction projects, and the building

Ninawa Governorate

7:52
Sacking 10 employees from Nineveh Television
The contracts of 10 employees at Iraqi Nineveh Television Station with an immediate effect from today 28/6/2007 was announced by an official spokesman from the Station. The reason behind this decision was not been made public. Mosul Observer

Salah ad Din Governorate

An attack on a truck convoy carrying construction materials to rebuild the Ztigon bridge was attacked. One of the drivers a native of Touz was killed. Rebuilding the bridge will take 8 months.