Sunni Iraqis Condemn Raids on Diyala Government Offices

[Hissyspit]

Source: Xinhua

Sunni Iraqis condemn raids on Diyala government offices

www.chinaview.cn 2008-08-19 22:49:29

BAGHDAD, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Sunni Arab parties in Iraq Tuesday condemned overnight raids on provincial government offices in the volatile province of Diyala which killed the governor's secretary and detained some Sunni leaders. The Iraqi Islamic Party, headed by Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi, denounced the "irresponsible actions" by the Iraqi troops, and warned of negative consequences of such acts.

A statement issued by the key Sunni party demanded immediate release by the Iraqi government of Hussein al-Zubaidi, head of the security committee of the provincial council, and official apology to him and other council members. The statement accused the assaulting force of brutally beating members of the provincial council and chanting sectarian words during the raid.

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Earlier in the day, a local police source said U.S. and Iraqi troops air-dropped troops at about 2:00 a.m. (2300 GMT on Monday) on the buildings of the provincial government offices with the aim of detaining Diyala Governor Raad Rasheed Mullah Jawad, a Shiite. The governor was not present at the scene during the raid in the provincial capital of Baquba, some 65 km northeast of Baghdad. Last week, Jawad survived unhurt an assassination attempt when a suicide bomber struck his convoy in central Baquba.

The troops also clashed with the guards of the offices, killing Abbas Ali Hmoud, the governor's secretary and wounding three policemen, the source said on condition of anonymity. Hussein al-Zubaidi, head of the security committee of the provincial council, a Sunni, was also detained during the raid, the source added.

Read more: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-08/19/content_9521326.htm

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