DEATH TOLL IN BAGHDAD BOMB ATTACK RISES
Terrorist attacks in Baghdad and Dhaka, Bangladesh, left dozens dead and have spawned new fears that the disintegration of ISIL’s territory in Syria is leading more frequently to the targeting of civilians in other countries in the region. Here are some of the after-effects of the weekend bloodshed:
The death toll from the truck bombing at a bustling Baghdad commercial street rose to 157 on Monday, Iraqi authorities said, though the Washington Post put the number at 187 with more fatalities likely to be added. Police and health officials said the toll was likely to increase even further as rescuers are still looking for missing people. Officials said at least 12 people are confirmed missing and at least 190 were wounded. The suicide bomber blew up his explosivesladen vehicle in Baghdad’s mostly Shiite Karada district, a favourite destination for shoppers — especially during the holy month of Ramadan. The streets and sidewalks were filled with young people and families after they had broken their daylight fast. A string of smaller bombings elsewhere in Baghdad on Monday killed 10 people. IRAQI PM ORDERS MORE SECURITY Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi imposed new security measures in the capital, ordering security forces to stop using a repeatedly discredited hand-held bomb detection device. He also ordered the reopening of an investigation into the procurement of the British-made electronic wands, called ADE 651s. In 2010, British authorities arrested the director of the British company ATSC Ltd. on fraud charges, prompting Iraqis to open their own investigation into alleged corruption. Iraqi authorities made some arrests, but the investigation went nowhere and the device remained in use. But as recently as Monday evening, Associated Press reporters saw several of the devices still being used at checkpoints around the capital. AlAbadi also ordered X-ray systems to be installed at the entrances of provinces. He demanded the upgrade of the capital’s security belt, increased aerial scanning and stepped-up intelligence efforts. VIGIL FOR BANGLADESHI VICTIMS Surrounded by tearful family members and a heavy security detail, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and diplomats from Italy, Japan and other countries laid flower wreaths beside the coffins holding the three Bangladeshi victims in Dhaka on Monday. The coffins were draped in the Bangladeshi flag — a red disc on a green background. Two police officers and 17 other hostages — nine Italians, seven Japanese and one Indian — were killed. Those bodies were to be flown back to their home countries. The stadium vigil was visited by hundreds of Dhaka residents, paying their respects to the victims. The Italian ambassador and more than 100 other people attended a Catholic Mass in memory of the victims Monday evening. Islamic prayer sessions and a candlelight vigil were held later in the evening. A ‘SHATTERED’ NATION The English-language Daily Star newspaper Monday said the bloody Bangladesh hostage crisis had left “the nation shattered and with a sense of extreme unease.” The editorial also criticizes authorities’ consistent denial of the presence of any international terrorist groups, even as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant group claimed responsibility for the attack and released gruesome photographs that apparently depicted the torture of hostages. “The methods employed and the savagery with which the killings were carried out are hallmarks of international terrorist outfits like ISIL and al-Qaida. This is clear,” the newspaper said. “What is not clear is whether ... the official line will be one of denial?” INVESTIGATING LINKS TO ISIL Bangladesh police have said they are investigating whether the attackers had links to ISIL, though the home minister insisted the group had no presence in Bangladesh and could not have guided the attack. The government has blamed the restaurant attack and other recent killings on domestic militants bent on imposing Islamic rule. Meanwhile, five Indian states bordering Bangladesh were on high alert, with Indian police checking vehicles crossing the shared 4,000-kilometre border in case any militants were trying to flee.