Militias call for revenge against Sunni town over suicide attacks in Baghdad
The suicide attack on the Shiite-dominated Sadr City district of Baghdad on July 19 that killed at least 35 people has led some pro-Iran militias to demand vengeance against Sunnis near Baghdad.
Shortly after a suicide bombing in Baghdad’s eastern Shia-dominant, largely poverty-stricken neighborhood of Sadr City on July 19, speculation ran rife that the attack originated from a Sunni-majority town roughly 50 kilometers (30 miles) north of the Iraqi capital.
Concerns about the potential for rekindling sectarianism were raised. An Arabic hashtag that translated as “Tarmiya is blowing us up” placed blame on the Sunni-majority town and surrounding area north of Baghdad, rich in agriculture, orchards and dense vegetation.
Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi announced the arrest of a “terror cell” on July 24, and it was reported early the next day that men from Anbar and Kirkuk had been arrested in connection with the attack.
At least 35 people were killed in the attack on the densely populated Shia area of the capital, which happened on the eve of the important Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice. Many families with children were shopping at the market when the suicide bomber detonated his vest.
