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Deadly Iraq sect attacks kill 200 Deadly Iraq sect attacks kill 200
(10 minutes later)
At least 200 people have been killed in a series of bombings apparently aimed at a Kurdish religious minority group in northern Iraq, officials say.At least 200 people have been killed in a series of bombings apparently aimed at a Kurdish religious minority group in northern Iraq, officials say.
Some 200 more were reported injured as at least four blasts hit areas home to the Yazidi sect near the city of Mosul.Some 200 more were reported injured as at least four blasts hit areas home to the Yazidi sect near the city of Mosul.
The deadly attack was one of the most lethal insurgent strikes in more than four years of war in Iraq.The deadly attack was one of the most lethal insurgent strikes in more than four years of war in Iraq.
The US called the bombings "barbaric", while a Kurdish official said Baghdad had failed to protect the Yazidi.The US called the bombings "barbaric", while a Kurdish official said Baghdad had failed to protect the Yazidi.
In a statement, the White House insisted US forces and the Iraqi government would continue to "beat back" the "vicious and heartless murderers".In a statement, the White House insisted US forces and the Iraqi government would continue to "beat back" the "vicious and heartless murderers".
Because of the inaction of the government in Baghdad and their inability to protect the population they are suffering the way they are now Khaled SalihKurdistan Regional Government Iraq's minorities threatened
The BBC's Richard Galpin, in Baghdad, says that with the Americans concentrating on their military effort in the capital, officials fear the insurgents are moving into new areas where they can attack so-called soft targets.The BBC's Richard Galpin, in Baghdad, says that with the Americans concentrating on their military effort in the capital, officials fear the insurgents are moving into new areas where they can attack so-called soft targets.
Because of the inaction of the government in Baghdad and their inability to protect the population they are suffering the way they are now Khaled SalihKurdistan Regional Government class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6293230.stm">Iraq's minorities threatened A spokesman for the Kurdistan regional government, a semi-autonomous authority which governs three northern Iraqi provinces, described the Yazidi as a "threatened minority" and said Kurdish forces might have protected them from harm. A spokesman for the Kurdistan regional government, a semi-autonomous authority which governs three northern Iraqi provinces, described the Yazidi as a "threatened minority" and said Kurdish forces might have protected them from harm.
"We would certainly be able to improve security if we were allowed to operate in that area," Khaled Salih told the BBC."We would certainly be able to improve security if we were allowed to operate in that area," Khaled Salih told the BBC.
"But because of the inaction of the government in Baghdad and their inability to protect the population they are suffering the way they are now," he added."But because of the inaction of the government in Baghdad and their inability to protect the population they are suffering the way they are now," he added.
Digging for bodiesDigging for bodies
Tuesday's co-ordinated bombings in the villages of Qataniya and Adnaniya involved a fuel tanker and three cars, officials said.Tuesday's co-ordinated bombings in the villages of Qataniya and Adnaniya involved a fuel tanker and three cars, officials said.
"My friend and I were thrown high in the air. I still don't know what happened to him," Khadir Shamu, a 30-year-old Yazidi, told the Associated Press news agency."My friend and I were thrown high in the air. I still don't know what happened to him," Khadir Shamu, a 30-year-old Yazidi, told the Associated Press news agency.
MAJOR ATTACKS IN 2007 14 August: At least 175 reported dead in attacks on Yazidi sect near Mosul16 July: At least 85 die in twin bombings in Kirkuk7 July: 130 killed in Amirli market bombing19 June: At least 78 die in Baghdad mosque blast18 April: Up to 200 killed in car bombings in Baghdad6 March: At least 90 killed in double suicide bombing in Hilla3 Feb: At least 130 die in suicide lorry blast in Baghdad22 Jan: 88 killed by Baghdad car bombs KEY FACTS: THE YAZIDIS Religious sect found in northern Iraq, Syria and the CaucasusMajority of estimated 100,000 followers live in Iraqi KurdistanDoctrine is an amalgam of pagan, Sabean, Shamanistic, Manichean, Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian and Islamic elementsYazidis believe in a Supreme God, but do not believe in evil, sin, hell or the devilViolation of divine laws can be expiated by metempsychosis, or the transferring of a soul from one body to anotherPrincipal divine figure, Malak Taus (Peacock Angel), is the supreme angel of the seven angels who ruled the universe after it was created by God
The mayor of Sinjal, a nearby town, said he expected the final death toll to rise.The mayor of Sinjal, a nearby town, said he expected the final death toll to rise.
"We are still digging with our hands and shovels because we can't use cranes because many of the houses were built of clay," Dhakil Qassim told AP."We are still digging with our hands and shovels because we can't use cranes because many of the houses were built of clay," Dhakil Qassim told AP.
"We are expecting to reach the final death toll tomorrow or [the] day after tomorrow as we are getting only pieces of bodies."We are expecting to reach the final death toll tomorrow or [the] day after tomorrow as we are getting only pieces of bodies.
Tensions between the Yazidi sect and local Muslims have grown since a Yazidi girl was reportedly stoned by her community in April for converting to Islam.Tensions between the Yazidi sect and local Muslims have grown since a Yazidi girl was reportedly stoned by her community in April for converting to Islam.
The sect is due to vote later alongside other Kurds outside the Kurdish autonomous region in a referendum on joining the grouping.The sect is due to vote later alongside other Kurds outside the Kurdish autonomous region in a referendum on joining the grouping.
Correspondents say the planned referendum makes northern Iraq's Kurds a target for politically-motivated attacks.Correspondents say the planned referendum makes northern Iraq's Kurds a target for politically-motivated attacks.
Yazidis worship an archangel, sometimes represented by a peacock figure believed by some Christians and Muslims to be the devil.Yazidis worship an archangel, sometimes represented by a peacock figure believed by some Christians and Muslims to be the devil.