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| Iraq | ||
| Jordan’s Iraq Embassy Boomed, 8 Dead | ||
| 2003-08-07 | ||
| At least eight people have been killed in a large explosion at the Jordanian embassy in Baghdad. Some of those killed were reportedly embassy staff and guards. Others are thought to have been in cars parked close to the embassy. The Jordanian Information Minister Nabil al-Sharif called the attack — in which the bomb appears to have been concealed inside a truck — a "cowardly terrorist" act. The explosion reduced the front of the embassy to rubble and shrapnel was found as far as 1,000 metres from the scene. Human remains were visible in a compound close to the embassy. It is unclear how many people were injured in the explosion, with reports suggesting around 20 people were rushed to hospital. A US army spokesman estimated there were "eight or 10" deaths and said 130-230 kilograms (300-500lb) of explosives were probably used in the bomb. "I saw a long vehicle approach the embassy," police officer Hekmat Ibrahim told news agency AFP as he was leaving nearby Iskan children’s hospital, his head bandaged. "I heard a huge explosion. I was blown back and I fell unconscious." An Iraqi embassy guard being treated at another hospital, Shaheed Mazloum, said he had heard two explosions. "I was sitting in the reception," he told news agency AP. "I heard the first explosion. I ran out and then there was another explosion. Many employees were inside the embassy as well as Iraqis and Jordanians. Smoke filled the street," he said. After the embassy explosion, Iraqis are reported to have stormed the building, smashing portraits of Jordan’s King Abdullah II and his father King Hussein. Waiting for the bomb to go off, or just spur of the moment?
Hummm, somebody doesn’t like Jordan for (indirectly) supporting the US? Are there any other embassies from Arab countries open in Iraq?
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| Posted by:Steve |
| #13 It will be fun to see how this one plays out. My friend on the street in Bagdad says the whole House of Hussein is more or less viewed as a den of vampires, and there is no love for the daughters, even amongst the Sunni. Jordan may have just bought itself a headache similar to that Nigeria is about to enjoy ... |
| Posted by: CA Escapee 2003-8-7 10:10:35 PM |
| #12 Biggest problem is that the Imams and Mullahs (may they be infected with dozens of communicable venerial diseases) spend their entire lifetimes preaching hate. Remember the old song, "If you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with." Seems hatred works that way, too. Can you say "sins of the fathers"? I thought you could... |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2003-8-7 4:07:29 PM |
| #11 It's a sordid business that will take time to sort out...... |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2003-8-7 4:04:07 PM |
| #10 Per BBC :Tensions were heightened when embassy guards reportedly fired toward bystanders trying to remove people caught in the blast. AP report implies the guards firing happened FIRST,and THEN the crowd rampage. |
| Posted by: liberalhawk 2003-8-7 3:16:49 PM |
| #9 AP reports some guy who ran in with other Iraqis to help. Some (understandably) trigger happy Jordanian guard started shooting at them, and THEN the enraged crowd started destroying portraits and all. So there may be less to this then appears. |
| Posted by: liberalhawk 2003-8-7 3:14:19 PM |
| #8 Oops, left IOL out of first sentence... Apologies. |
| Posted by: ·com 2003-8-7 2:05:58 PM |
| #7 All of the "reportage" is via the Beeb and AFP. Think there's any selectivity in who's being interviewed and what "facts" and spittle are being included? Definitely orchestrated, from the bombing, to the "dozens" of Iraqis in this little mob, to the "conclusions" reported. I've reached the point with certain of these "news orgs" that I wouldn't be surprised if they were privvy to, if not party to (providing media advice ala Wag The Dog), the planning prior to the event. I innately hate conspiracy shit, but some of these events have all the earmarks of a staged production. |
| Posted by: ·com 2003-8-7 2:05:07 PM |
| #6 #tisk, tisk# Very naughty SOG475 and flash91! I know that I'm old fashioned, but I'm a firm believer in the "We're Americans: we don't do that sort of thing" school of thought. Now before NMM weighs in with some snide comment, what I more specifically mean is that we SHOULDN'T do that sort of thing. The high ground is softer, warmer, and you sleep better up there. |
| Posted by: Secret Master 2003-8-7 2:02:37 PM |
| #5 Another report: "The target was the Jordanian embassy. People hear about how Iraqis are treated in Jordan and there is hatred," Jasim of the health ministry said. Jordan's relations with Iraq have been strained, with Iraqi political parties voicing ire at Amman's lack of action during the war and the decision of King Abdullah to grant asylum to two daughters of Saddam. Hundreds of Iraqis per day who apply for visas to Jordan get rejected, heaping more tension on the precarious relationship, Aysar Abu Gazaleh, a Jordanian national employed with the Palestinian mission in Baghdad, said. - Sapa-AFP |
| Posted by: Steve 2003-8-7 1:53:56 PM |
| #4 Islam Online reports: Meanwhile, dozens of angry Iraqis stormed the Jordanian embassy after the deadly blast, tearing up the Jordanian flag and ripping up and burning pictures of King Abdullah and his father, the late King Hussein. The crowd yelled curses against Jordan and Jordanians, saying "We want to kill them all," an AFP correspondent witnessed. The protestors also shouted slogans against the Jordanian decision to give host to ousted President Saddam Hussein’s daughters few days ago. But Suleiman Khairallah, a Jordanian writer, ruled out links between the blast and allowing a refuge for the Saddam daughters in the country. But Areeb Al-Rentawi of the Al-Quds Center for political Studies blamed it on "a number of Iraqi parties who launched a wave of criticisms against the kingdom in recent days." He named the Iraqi National Congress (INC) as one of those "who widely and openly criticized Jordan." The INC is led by Ahmed Chalabi, who had fled to London from Jordan after he was sentenced in absentia to 32 years in prison over charges of embezzling millions from the bank he owned. The spin has begun, the American puppet Chalabi did it. |
| Posted by: Steve 2003-8-7 1:17:47 PM |
| #3 I like it. Send a bunch of our spittle spewing wild eyed fanatics to attack THEIR spittle spewing wild eyed fanatics. AND where else are we going to get the bomb making expertise. The last time I looked the CIA couldn't even make a good exploding cigar. You know what the difference between a hooker and a terrorist is don't you? There are some things even a hooker won't do....so give a bunch of gold to some of the Sunnis and let them go into Iran.. |
| Posted by: SOG475 2003-8-7 11:47:57 AM |
| #2 You know, along that line I appreciated the "art" of reagan's use of the contra's. If terrorists want to fight, maybe we could channel their energies more productively. Maybe we can organize unaffilated terrorists in iraq to stage attacks in iran? A number of terrorist attacks staged on iran might get those taliban/al queada (can't speel b4 cofee) handed over faster. Of course we would have to blame rogue elements of the CIA, but every one else uses that excuse, so it should fly, and frankly I think the CIA should be feared as ruthless bahstads. |
| Posted by: flash91 2003-8-7 9:47:30 AM |
| #1 But Jordan also took in Saddam's daughters and has been accused of working with his regime to get discount oil before GW2. There's a (slight) possibility the embassy was bombed because of Jordan's support of Saddam. |
| Posted by: Dar 2003-8-7 9:35:15 AM |