A command group of terrorists entered the place of worship during Friday prayers: one blew himself up, while others opened fire on worshipers. Sunni politicians desert talks for the formation of the new government to protest against the killings.

Baghdad (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The terrible attack carried out yesterday evening on a Sunni mosque in Iraq's Diyala province killed at least 68 Muslim worshipers, who had gathered at the place of worship for Friday prayers. According to authorities, one of the assailants detonated an explosives belt inside the mosque right at the end of prayers, while others of the same terrorist group opened fire on worshipers. The terrorist group was comprised of Shiites.

The province of Diyala has become a battleground between the so-called "Islamic State" and Iraqi forces. Yesterday's attack is considered a "show of force" by the jihadists, who want to demonstrate the Iraqi government's inability to ensure the safety of its citizens.

The current prime minister-designate Haider al-Abadi, a Shiite moderate, is trying to form a new government representing the whole of society. His predecessor, Nouri Maliki, has been repeatedly criticized for having appointed an overly sectarian executive. However, two influential Sunni politicians, the speaker of Parliament Salim al-Jabouri and Deputy Prime Minister Saleh al-Mutlak, have announced that they will not take part in the new government cabinet in protest against the massacres against their faction.

 

 

• IRAQ
• Diyala
• JIHADISTS
• SHIITE
• islam
• muslims
• massacre
• Sunni
• mosque:
• At
• least
• 68
• victims