Iraq bombings - Al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein sympathisers blamed

Central Asia News.Net
Thursday 20th August, 2009

Al-Qaeda in Iraq is suspected by US military officials of being behind the massive truck bombings in Baghdad during the week.

While no group has yet claimed responsibility for Wednesday's bombings at the foreign and finance ministries, US military sources have said they showed signs of being al-Qaeda operations.

But Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Shiite politicians have alleged Saddam Hussein loyalists were linked to the attacks.

The prime minister has blamed an alliance of al-Qaeda and supporters of Saddam's Baath party for the bombs.

Shiite politicians have been increasingly mentioning the Baathists as partners with al-Qaeda.

While analysts are still trying to pin down the culprits, the steadily escalating attacks seem to be aimed at creating tension prior to January's parliamentary elections when the Baathist link is likely to become politically explosive.

Many Saddam-era officials are still embedded in the civil service, army and police forces.

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