The Article
Today in Iraq is the Shi'ite holy holiday of Ashura. A suicide bomber exploded a bomb near a mosque in Baquba and killed eight people and wounded another fourteen. What is interesting about both the location of the attack as well as those targeted in the attack is that over the past few years, the US military has been fighting Sunni and al Qaeda insurgents in the area and the area has been described as very violent. In fact, the article states that suspected al Qaeda attacks have killed over 171 during the holiday of Ashura in 2004. While the article mentions no suspects, (other than the bomber himself), al Qaeda can be considered a prime sponsor suspect. This particular bombing reminds me of what we learned in class regarding terrorist strategies. This is an example of indirect action. Sunni insurgents hope that by committing terrorist acts that the government will brutally repress the people and that the people will respond by revolting against the government. This principle is happening right now in Iraq. In response to previously bloody Ashura's, the government is cracking down on people's liberty in order to minimize death. For example, the government has imposed vehicle curfews all over southern Iraq in order to protect Shi'ites observing Ashura. Sunni militants also hope that their attacks will provoke a violent response by Shi'ites thereby escalating the level of violence in the country.
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3 comments:
Who posted this? I don't have a brian M on the class list?
-Brent Mangum
I agree with you that this article provides a perfect example of indirect action whereby the terrorists stimulate an action hoping for a desired series of reactions.
On page 229, Hoffman notes that terrorist groups may use one strategy or a combination of strategies which they consider rewarding from their point of view. This is something that was explained to us in class on Wednesday.
Along these lines, I think that this article also provides a good example of armed propaganda. The Sunni insurgents hoped to get excessive media attention by the act of exploding a bomb near a mosque which is a symbolic target, also it is important to note that it was done during the holy Ashura, which generated a lot more attention.
Brent,
You asked me on my post from 1/17 who I was since you didn't have a Brian M on the class list. My name is Brian Mitchell and I added the class about a week ago. Talk to professor Payne and I'm sure I'm on the class list.
-Brian
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