Potential Suicide Bomber Attacks
Credible intelligence gathered by Multi-National Division – Baghdad indicates al-Qaeda in Iraq is planning suicide bomber attacks in Baghdad against the Iraqi people in the near future.
Information collected by Coalition Forces states that numerous AQI terrorists have entered the Baghdad area with the purpose of carrying out vehicle-borne improvised-explosive devices, or suicide-vest attacks, specifically in the Karkh district of central Baghdad.
Iraqi Security and Coalition Forces are warning the Iraqi people to be vigilant for signs of terrorist activity and ask that they report the indicators through tip lines or to the ISF or CF in their area.
The ISF and CF are also disseminating pamphlets throughout the area to provide local residents information on the telltale signs that indicate terrorist activity.
The public is asked to be watchful for individuals displaying abnormal behavior, inappropriate clothing for weather or an agitated demeanor as possible indicators of a potential suicide-vest attack. Signs of a VBIED attack are unfamiliar vehicles repeatedly driving around crowded areas, individuals taking pictures or video of crowded areas, and old cars with new paint or without license plates. Another indicator is more than one fuel can in the back seat or trunk, where explosives may be hidden.
An additional threat warning includes a stolen ambulance, which will likely be used as a VBIED.
Historically, AQI uses SVEST and VBIED against large gatherings of people, attacking funerals, markets and check points. Wall barriers emplaced by the Government of Iraq and CF have been largely successful in protecting neighborhoods, markets and roadways; however, AQI are constantly seeking opportunities to harm innocent Iraqi civilians.
“The primary mission for U.S. Soldiers, in full partnership with Iraqi Security Forces and the Government of Iraq, is protecting the Iraqi people,” said Maj. Gen. Jeffery Hammond, commanding general, MND-B and 4th Infantry Division. “It is our primary focus. Even during the more recent indirect fire attacks and criminal activity in eastern Baghdad, we have never ceased in our efforts to protect the people of Baghdad from AQI.”
On Feb. 1, two female suicide bombers detonated their vests in eastern Baghdad markets of Rusafa and killed 27 and wounded another 53.
On March 6, AQI terrorists detonated an IED targeting shoppers in a Karadah peninsula market. When emergency responders and civilians gathered to assist the wounded, a SVEST bomber detonated the blast that killed 39 and wounded 32.
On April 5, terrorists detonated an IED against a civilian bus and killed 10 and wounded three.
AQI activity was evident as recent as April 15 when a car bomb exploded in a Rusafa district parking lot, which wounded 11 Iraqi civilians.
AQI are responsible for the most horrific attacks against the Iraqi people. Their extremist ideology includes indiscriminate violence and oppressive practices. Recently, AQI began targeting SoI and Awakening groups because those organizations have taken away their support zones and havens.
MNF-I
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