2008 Karbala bombing | |
---|---|
![]() Location of Karbala | |
Location | Karbala, Iraq |
Date | March 17, 2008 (UTC+3) |
Attack type | suicide bomb |
Deaths | At least 42 |
Non-fatal injuries | 58 |
|
The 2008 Karbala bombing occurred on March 17, 2008 in Karbala, Iraq.
Background[]
Karbala is a city in central Iraq, 80 km (50 mi) south of Baghdad.[1] It is home to the Imam Husayn Shrine, one of the holiest sites of Shiite Islam.[1] The city had seen several other suicide bombs in the past, including one in April 2007 that killed roughly 100 people.[1]
There were two other insurgent attacks the day of the bombing, including a mortar attack and several suicide bombs, both in Baghdad.[1] The attacks came during a visit by US Vice President Dick Cheney.[1]
Details[]
The suicide bomb detonated outside a cafe near the shrine.[1] Al-Qaeda is suspected to be behind the bombings, though this is not proven.[1] Mohammed Kadhem, 39, a witness to the bombings claimed that he "saw smoke and bodies."[1] The bomber was confirmed to be female though few other details were given.[1]
Victims[]
The bombings killed at least 42 people and injured 58.[1] The dead include seven Iranians.[1]
References[]
The original article can be found at 2008 Karbala bombing and the edit history here.