Bomb Near Shi'ite Shrine Kills Four in Iraq

[maddezmom]

KERBALA, Iraq (Reuters) - A bomb exploded near the offices of a senior Shi'ite cleric in the Iraqi holy city of Kerbala on Wednesday, killing four people and wounding 16, witnesses and doctors said.



One of the wounded was Sheikh Abdul Mehdi al-Karbalai, a cleric regarded as close to Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, Iraq (news - web sites)'s most influential Shi'ite leader. Hospital sources said he had been hit in the legs and was receiving treatment.


Wednesday's attack came on the day campaigning began for Iraq's first post-Saddam elections.


One of the groups contesting the poll is a list of Shi'ite candidates backed by Sistani, but it was not immediately clear if there was any political motive to Wednesday's bombing.

more: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=574&ncid=721&e=2&u=/nm/20041215/wl_nm/iraq_kerbala_blast_dc

[KingChicken]

1. U.S. is trying to divide the shia and sunnis again

This doesen't happen very often, but when it does no one takes responsibility. Most of the larger attacks are claimed by groups within 24 hours.

When I see this I tend to think it's plotted to turn the country against itself. In the past these bombings have only brought the communities tougether in opposing the U.S.

Psychological operations as usual....

[bemildred]

2. It did occur to me someone might be sending al Sistani a "message".

But you can't tell out here in TV land.