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Sunni Extremists in Iraq Fire Mortars into Shiite Shrine Extremists in Iraq Attack Shiite Shrine, Killing 6
(36 minutes later)
BAGHDAD — Sunni extremists fired mortars into a shrine in Samarra that is sacred to Shiites late Monday, killing six people and damaging the shrine, according to a report on Iraqi state television.BAGHDAD — Sunni extremists fired mortars into a shrine in Samarra that is sacred to Shiites late Monday, killing six people and damaging the shrine, according to a report on Iraqi state television.
Attacks on Samarra’s Al Askari Mosque by Qaeda-related groups in 2006 set off a wave of sectarian violence throughout Iraq that took years to calm.Attacks on Samarra’s Al Askari Mosque by Qaeda-related groups in 2006 set off a wave of sectarian violence throughout Iraq that took years to calm.
A report on the Iraqiya television network said four mortar shells were fired into the compound of the mosque, which was built in 944 and is considered one of the most important shrines in the Shiite world.A report on the Iraqiya television network said four mortar shells were fired into the compound of the mosque, which was built in 944 and is considered one of the most important shrines in the Shiite world.
A security official in Samarra said only two mortar shells actually hit the mosque’s famous golden dome, and damage was slight. The other two landed in a courtyard, where many worshipers had gathered to celebrate the first day of Ramadan.A security official in Samarra said only two mortar shells actually hit the mosque’s famous golden dome, and damage was slight. The other two landed in a courtyard, where many worshipers had gathered to celebrate the first day of Ramadan.
The dome was largely destroyed in 2006 by extremists who entered the shrine and set off explosives. It was later rebuilt.The dome was largely destroyed in 2006 by extremists who entered the shrine and set off explosives. It was later rebuilt.
Hospital officials in Samarra reported that six people were killed and 23 others were wounded in the attack.Hospital officials in Samarra reported that six people were killed and 23 others were wounded in the attack.
The Iraqi government has heavily reinforced the city of Samarra, about 80 miles north of Baghdad, to prevent insurgents with the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria from carrying out such attacks on the shrine. It has so far prevented ISIS from entering Samarra or getting close to the shrine area.The Iraqi government has heavily reinforced the city of Samarra, about 80 miles north of Baghdad, to prevent insurgents with the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria from carrying out such attacks on the shrine. It has so far prevented ISIS from entering Samarra or getting close to the shrine area.
ISIS has made no secret of its intention to foment a sectarian war in Iraq, as Al Qaeda did in 2006. The attack was likely to arouse fears of a wave of retaliatory attacks in an atmosphere where Sunnis have already become victims of random, apparently sectarian killings in Baghdad and elsewhere, as a response to the advances by ISIS in Sunni parts of the country. ISIS has made no secret of its intention to foment a sectarian war in Iraq, as Al Qaeda did in 2006.
The shrine marks the place where Imam Ali al-Hadi, who is revered by Shiites, was buried in A.D. 868. Six years later, his son Hassan al-Askari was buried there as well. Muhammad al-Mahdi, known as the Hidden Imam, is said to have gone into hiding near the shrine. Shiites believe he will return someday to bring justice to the world The attack was likely to arouse fears of retaliatory attacks in an atmosphere where Sunnis have already become victims of random, apparently sectarian killings in Baghdad and elsewhere, as a response to the advances by ISIS in Sunni parts of the country.
The shrine marks the place where Imam Ali al-Hadi, who is revered by Shiites, was buried in 868. Six years later, his son Hassan al-Askari was buried there as well.