IRAQ: Baghdad twin bomb attack targets alcohol sellers, wounds 5.

Record ID: 356519

  • Title: IRAQ: Baghdad twin bomb attack targets alcohol sellers, wounds 5.
  • Date: 19th November 2008
  • Summary: (BN06) BAGHDAD, IRAQ (NOVEMBER 19, 2008) (REUTERS-ACCESS ALL) BLAST SCENE PILE OF WRECKAGE OF TWISTED METAL IN FRONT OF SHOP ALCOHOL BOTTLES IN DEEP FREEZERS INSIDE SHOP SHOP WITH SHATTERED WINDOW MAN REMOVING BROKEN GLASS FROM WINDOWS PANES PILES OF WRECKAGE IN FRONT OF SHOPS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) BAGHDAD RESIDENT SALAH SAYING: "We heard a strong bang at around six or
  • Embargoed: 4th December 2008 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Iraq
  • Country: Iraq
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement
  • Reuters ID: LVA78ARBSMLDFG9N4HQIQXRLT7ZO
  • Story Text: Two bombs in central Baghdad -- targeted at alcohol-selling shops -- wound five civilians.
    Two bombs exploded in quick succession in central Baghdad early on Wednesday (November 19), wounding five civilians, police sources said.
    They said that the attack targeted stores selling alcohol in Baghdad's Aqba bin Nafi' Square, causing serious damage to at least three stores.

    "We heard a strong bang at around six or five to six in the morning when most people were still asleep and there was a little movement in the street. (Q) what was the target?) "It targeted privately-owned stores. We do not know why!" Said one local resident, Salah.
    Before fundamentalists came along in the region, alcohol merchants faced the whims of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
    After attracting international condemnation for invading Kuwait, he began portraying himself as a pious Muslim to improve his image at home as economic sanctions ravaged Iraq.
    In the mid 1990s he banned alcohol sales in hotels, bars and restaurants. Now that the sale of alcohol has once again been legalised, fundamentalists have taken it upon themselves to enforce their moral codes -- on Christians as well as Muslims -- with the blessing of some religious leaders.
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