Iraq bloodbath kills 118 Shias

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.khaleejtimes.ae/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/focusoniraq/2007/March/focusoniraq_March49.xml§ion=focusoniraq

BAGHDAD — At least 118 Shia pilgrims were slaughtered in attacks across Iraq yesterday, sparking fears of reprisals that could frustrate efforts by Iraqi and US forces to quell sectarian violence. Elsewhere in Iraq, nine American soldiers were killed and four more wounded in two bomb attacks on their convoys, the US military said.

The deadliest single attack on the pilgrims was in Hilla, south of the capital, where two suicide bombers triggered explosives amid a packed crowd of worshippers walking to the holy city of Karbala, police Lieutenant Karim Al Hamzawi said.

Dr Mohammed Timini from Hilla Hospital’s emergency room said 90 pilgrims were killed and at least 160 wounded, as queues of ambulances and private cars brought in scores of bloodied bodies.

“Among the wounded, there are 50 in a critical condition. Eighty percent of the casualties are young men, but there are women and children among the dead,” he told AFP at the hospital.

[bonito]

1. This is total madness

If washington doesn't stop this someone else might try.

[El Supremo]

2. So much for the "Surge" on Baghdad.

They will just kill each other elsewhere.

We need to get out now! That alone may bring some sense into the Iraqis heads.