November 2016 Hillah suicide truck bombing
| November 2016 Hillah suicide truck bombing | |
|---|---|
| Part of Iraqi Civil War (2014–present) | |
 Location of Babil Governorate in Iraq | |
| Location | Hillah, Babil Governorate, Iraq |
| Date | 24 November 2016 |
| Target | Petrol station |
Attack type | Suicide truck bombing |
| Weapons | Bomb |
| Deaths | 125 (+1)[1] |
Non-fatal injuries | 95+[1] |
| Perpetrator |
 Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant |
A suicide bombing occurred in Iraq on 24 November 2016[2] when a truck bomb exploded at a petrol station in Hillah, some 100 kilometers (62 miles) away from southern Baghdad, killing at least 100 people and injuring many others.
The Shia pilgrims were en route back to Iran after 2016 Arba'een Pilgrimage.[3][4][5][6] Besides Iranians, there were people from Basra and Nasiriyah killed in the attack as well.[7][8]
Bombing
The pilgrims were on their way back to Iran from the holy city of Karbala after they had participated in the annual Arba'een Pilgrimage. According to a police official, five buses of pilgrims burst into flames due to the detonation of an "explosives-laden truck", after they had stopped by a famous restaurant next to a petrol station.[9] According to a report, the bomb had been packed with 500 liters of ammonium nitrate.[1]
Reportedly, the Hillah suicide truck bombing happened a day after dozens of bombings in and around Baghdad by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in which 31 people were killed and over 100 injured.[10][11] There were some attacks during Arba'een this year, but these were insignificant as compared to incidents of previous years. Despite ongoing dangers, people around the world continued their journey to Karbala.[12] Per Iraqi officials, approximately three million Iranians visited Iraq, making them the largest contingent of foreigners at the Arba'een Pilgrimage in 2016.[13]
Perpetrator
The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant claimed responsibility for the attack.[6]
Motivation
After the offensive launched on 17 October to liberate the last remaining city in Iraq under ISIS control, Mosul, Daesh intensified their attacks aiming to weaken the Mosul offensive.[9]
Reactions
Iran – Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi condemned the attack[9] and said that it would continue to support Iraq's "relentless fight against terrorism."[14] Furthermore, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in a message criticized the attack stating that it is a sign of frustration among the terrorists who could not bear the peaceful rituals managed and observed in the city of Karbala during current Arbaeen pilgrimage.[15]
United States – The White House issued a statement that read it condemns the attack saying the bombing "was clearly intended to stoke sectarian tensions."[16]- Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani condemned the Hilla attack and warned that the perpetrators would receive response to their crimes on the battleground/Battle of Mosul (2016)[17]
See also
- List of Islamist terrorist attacks
- List of mass car bombings
- List of terrorist incidents in November 2016
- List of terrorist incidents linked to ISIL
- March 2016 Hillah suicide truck bombing
- 2005 Al Hillah bombing
- Number of terrorist incidents by country
- Terrorist incidents in Iraq in 2016
- Timeline of ISIL-related events (2016)
- Timeline of the Iraq War (2016)
References
- 1 2 3 "Suicide truck bomber kills scores of Shia pilgrims in Iraq".
- ↑ "Iraq: Scores killed in petrol station Hilla attack".
- ↑ "More than 80 killed, mostly Iranian pilgrims, in truck bomb attack near Baghdad".
- ↑ "Suicide Truck Bomb Kills More Than 80 in Iraq, Most of Them Iranian Pilgrims". The New York Times. Reuters. 24 November 2016.
- ↑ "Suicide truck bomb kills more than 80 in Iraq, most of them Iranian pilgrims". 24 November 2016 – via Reuters.
- 1 2 "Iraq suicide bomb: Shia pilgrims among nearly 80 dead". 24 November 2016 – via www.bbc.com.
- ↑ "Suicide attack leaves 100 dead in Iraq". Dawn News. November 25, 2016. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
- ↑ (TNS), Dpa Correspondents, dpa. "Death toll in central Iraq suicide bombing rises to 125".
- 1 2 3 "Suicide truck bomb kills about 100 in Iraq, mostly Iranian pilgrims".
- ↑ Hadi Mizban and Ali Abdul Hassan (November 24, 2016). "ISIS car bomb kills 56, including 20 Iranians, in Iraq". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
- ↑ Brian Rohan and Murtada Faraj (November 24, 2016). "Death toll in Iraq bombing claimed by IS rises to 73". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
- ↑ "Millions throng Iraq shrine despite fears of IS attack". Pakistan Today. November 22, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
- ↑ "Iraq truck bomb kills 70, mostly Iranian pilgrims". Times of Israel. November 24, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
- ↑ "Islamic State claims suicide truck bomb that killed about 100 in Iraq, mostly Iranian Shi'ite pilgrims". CNBC. Reuters. 24 November 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
- ↑ "Iran's President Urges Stronger Action by Iraq after Hilla Terrorist Attack". Iran Front Page. November 26, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
- ↑ "White house condemns attack on Iranian Shi'ite pilgrims in Iraq". Reuters.
- ↑ "Terrorists to receive punsihment on battleground: Ayatollah Sistani". Muslim Times. November 26, 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016.