Editorial: Another Defeat for Insurgents

The latest terrorist crime has targeted pilgrims at the Imam Musa al-Kadhim shrine, killing 20 and wounding 300. It was not wholly unexpected, since the criminals have made a practice of committing foul acts on every religious occasion, so as to create dissention and sectarian conflict. However, Iraqis have recognised that those responsible seek only to shed blood and divide a united people, and nullified this plan by standing shoulder to shoulder and supporting the security forces in their mission to protect pilgrims at the shrine. The insurgents have proved they are too weak to confront regular armed forces, since they directed their weapons against unarmed innocent people expressing their love for the descendents of the Prophet Mohammed. Iraqis are capable of resurrection from the ashes, and can rebuild their country just as they have succeeded in confronting sectarian conflict.