Iraqis must not give in to extremism, UN envoy says after attack on pilgrims

The United Nations envoy to Iraq strongly condemned today’s bombing at a bus station in the capital, targeting pilgrims making the journey from Baghdad to Karbala, and called on all of the nation’s citizens to “not rise to the provocation of extremists.”

Media reports say that at least 16 people have been killed and at least 40 wounded after two simultaneous explosions struck a bus terminal in south-west Baghdad.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Special Representative, Staffan de Mistura, described the bombing as “a murderous attack which was clearly designed to provoke sectarian tensions, even though the people of Iraq had clearly indicated through their votes on 31 January that they wish to put that sad phase of Iraqi history well behind them.”

He extended the UN’s sincere condolences to the families of those killed, and wishes a full and speedy recovery for the wounded.

Today’s attack comes nearly two weeks after Iraqis participated in largely peaceful provincial elections, which Mr. Ban lauded during his visit there last week as “a remarkable achievement in a country that has known so much conflict in recent years.”