Global perspective Human stories

Security Council speaks out against suicide bombing blitz in Iraq

Security Council speaks out against suicide bombing blitz in Iraq

Ambassador Claude Heller of Mexico
The United Nations Security Council today joined Secretary-General Ki-moon in condemning in the “strongest terms” the back-to-back suicide bombings in Baghdad and Diyala in the last few days.

According to media reports, two suicide bombers detonated their explosive vests near a Shi''a shrine on Friday morning, killing over 60 people, while more than 80 people reportedly died in similar attacks on Thursday, which has been characterized as Iraq''s deadliest day of the year.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said yesterday that he was particularly dismayed by reports that one of the bombers in the 23 April attacks was a woman accompanied by a five-year-old child.

The 15-member Council expressed their condolences to the families of the victims from Iraq, Iran and elsewhere, said Ambassador Claude Heller of Mexico, which holds the Council Presidency for the month, in a press statement.

In the statement, the Council reiterated its “determination to combat all forms of terrorism, in accordance with their responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations.”

Underlining the “need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice,” the Council urged all States to cooperate actively with Iraq in this regard.

It also stressed that “no terrorist act can reverse a path towards peace, democracy and reconstruction in Iraq, which is supported by the people and the Government of Iraq and the international community.”