© 2024 Connecticut Public

FCC Public Inspection Files:
WEDH · WEDN · WEDW · WEDY · WNPR
WPKT · WRLI-FM · WEDW-FM · Public Files Contact
ATSC 3.0 FAQ
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Iraqis Vent Anger And Blame Over Baghdad Bombing That Killed At Least 157

People light candles at the scene of a massive car bomb attack in Karrada, a busy shopping district where people were shopping for the upcoming Eid al-Fitr holiday in central Baghdad.
Hadi Mizban
/
AP
People light candles at the scene of a massive car bomb attack in Karrada, a busy shopping district where people were shopping for the upcoming Eid al-Fitr holiday in central Baghdad.

The death toll from Sunday's bombing of a crowded street in central Baghdad has risen to at least 157, and Iraqis have responded angrily, blaming politicians and security agencies for not securing their capital. Iraq's leader got a hostile reception when he visited the area.

The death toll in this attack, one of the worst single strikes to hit Baghdad, has kept rising as emergency and recovery crews work in the area. The Associated Press reports that at least 60 of the dead are women and children, and that more than 190 were wounded in the bombing.

From Beirut, NPR's Alice Fordham reports:

"At a demonstration at the bombing site Sunday evening, Iraqis blamed the government for being corrupt. In an outpouring of anger and frustration on social media, some called for the head of security in Baghdad to be replaced, and Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi was pelted with rocks when he visited the site.

"The attack was one of Iraq's worst, and the head of civil defense in the Karrada area of Baghdad said on state TV that he had never seen a bomb like this — the flames spread further and were more powerful than the car bombs that hit Baghdad several times a month."

Last night's demonstrations at the scene of the bombing also included a candlelight vigil.

Announcing the start of three days of national mourning over the attack, Abadi said via an official statement Sunday: "With deep sorrow, pain and sympathy, we mourn the martyrs of the tragedy of the heinous, dastardly and cowardly bombing at Karrada in Baghdad at dawn today. Dozens of sons of our dear people were killed in the attack."

As we reported Sunday, "The so-called Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack in an online statement, though NPR was not able to independently verify the claim."

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Bill Chappell is a writer and editor on the News Desk in the heart of NPR's newsroom in Washington, D.C.

Stand up for civility

This news story is funded in large part by Connecticut Public’s Members — listeners, viewers, and readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

We hope their support inspires you to donate so that we can continue telling stories that inform, educate, and inspire you and your neighbors. As a community-supported public media service, Connecticut Public has relied on donor support for more than 50 years.

Your donation today will allow us to continue this work on your behalf. Give today at any amount and join the 50,000 members who are building a better—and more civil—Connecticut to live, work, and play.

Related Content