Iran condemns terrorist attack against Iraqi official

Iran condemns terrorist attack against Iraqi official
Wed Dec 25, 2013 20:05:01

Iran has denounced a terrorist attack against acting Iraqi defense minister, calling on all regional countries to make joint efforts to eradicate terrorism.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham on Wednesday expressed relief that terrorists failed to obtain their criminal objectives, Press TV reported.

On Tuesday, a bomb blast hit the convoy of the acting Iraqi defense minister, Saadun al-Dulaimi, west of the capital, Baghdad.

The acting defense minister was unharmed in the roadside bomb, but two of his guards were wounded.

According to a police officer, Dulaimi was travelling in a six-vehicle convoy when the bomb struck in the city of Fallujah, 65 kilometers west of Baghdad.

Afkham wished success for the Iraqi government and officials in their constant efforts to dismantle terrorist groups.

“Terrorist groups have no mission but to create insecurity and instability in Iraq and have so far victimized many innocent Iraqi people for their ominous goals,” the Iranian spokeswoman said.

This time, terrorist groups targeted the acting Iraqi defense minister and a number of officials in charge of establishing security and stability in Iraq who succeeded in thwarting terrorist attacks in different parts of the country during recent days, Afkham added.

She expressed hope that all countries in the region would continue efforts to eradicate terrorism and to promote stability and security in the Muslim and neighboring country of Iraq.

The Tuesday attack came as Iraq suffers its worst violence since 2008, when it was just emerging from a brutal period of sectarian killings, raising fears that the country is slipping back into all-out conflict.

Analysts say widespread discontent among Iraq's minority Sunni Arab community is a major factor fuelling the surge in unrest this year.

The 33-month war in Syria, which has bolstered extremist groups, has also played a role.

And although the government has made some concessions aimed at placating Sunni Arabs, including freeing prisoners and raising the salaries of Sahwa anti-Qaeda fighters, underlying issues remain unaddressed.

More than 6,650 people have been killed in Iraq since the beginning of 2013, according to AFP figures based on security and medical sources.

HH/HH

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