- Title: IRAQ: FOUR DIE IN ATTACK ON POLITICAL PARTY HEADQUARTERS
- Date: 5th July 2004
- Summary: (W4)RAMADI, IRAQ (JULY 4,2004) (REUTERS) FOR DETAILED SHOTLIST 1 -22 SEE PROD 9975/04: 1. MAN TAKING FIRING POSITION ON ROOF OF COALITION OF IRAQI NATIONAL UNITY HEADQUARTERS 2. MAN BEHIND MACHINEGUN 3. CLOSE-UP OF MACHINE-GUN 4. FLOOR COVERED WITH BLOOD 5. BLANKET BULLET CASINGS SCATTERED ON GROUND 6.
- Embargoed: 20th July 2004 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: RAMADI AND BAGHDAD, IRAQ
- Country: Iraq
- Reuters ID: LVADXRFQEBVIAW2NQZLAGUAERV8N
- Story Text: Four die in attack on political party's headquarters
in Ramadi and an Interior Ministry officials says no need
at this time for emergency law.
Unidentified assailants attacked the headquarters of
the Coalition of Iraqi National Unity in
the western city of Ramadi late on Saturday night (July 3),
killing four of the office staff. The party's offices were heavily
damaged in the attack,
reducing its equipment to complete rubble. Smashed
computers and television sets were scattered around the
office as blood, grenades and bullet casings littered the
ground.
Head of the office, Hikmat Jassim Zidan, said the
attackers used the minaret of a nearby mosque to fire at
the headquarters, resulting in an exchange of fire. Four
members of the party were killed in the attack.
"The attackers used the minaret of the mosque to attack
the headquarters of the party, killing two members of the
Coalition of Iraqi National Unity while two others were
killed in an exchange of fire," said Zidan in an interview
on Sunday (July 4).
Ramadi, in the so-called Sunni-Triangle area that
stretches to the north and west of the country, is a
bastion of anti-U.S. insurgency.
Attackers have recently mounted a number of attacks on
headquarters of political parties.
Two civilians were wounded on Friday (July 2) in an
attack on Baghdad's headquarters of the Islamic party in
Iraq.
And the headquarters of Iraqi National Accord, party of
Iraq's Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, were attacked in the
city of Baqouba, 60 km north of Baghdad on Saturday (July
3).
Meanwhile, the Senior Adviser to the Interior Minister
Sabah Kadhim said on Sunday that the situation is under
control and that there is no necessity to impose emergency
law.
"At present time, I think that the situation, in fact
not since the last week but since we assumed power, is good
and that the ministry and the government have control over
the country in cooperation with the multi-national forces,"
Kadhim said in an interview.
After the handover of power last week, Prime Minister
Iyad Allawi said strong measures would be imposed to
control the Iraqi insurgency, stressing that security was
his top priority.
"I do not think the current situation requires such a
law" added Kadhim.
As a way to enforce their presence in streets, members
of the Iraqi National Guards and police maintained
checkpoints at a number of Baghdad streets.
"We hope that security prevails in all parts of the
country, starting with Baghdad to put these acts under
control. We hope the government provides security and
stability," said a Baghdad resident who identified himself
as Abu Baha.
Iraqi officials haven't said anything about the
emergency law's timing or scope, but they have indicated
they would declare a state of emergency.
Emergency measures could include curfews, checkpoints
and a ban on public demonstrations in Baghdad and various
provinces.
Power was handed over to Iraqis two days ahead of
schedule in fear of attacks. Many of the attacks are
thought to be the work of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, a
Jordanian-born militant.
- Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None