The Askariya Mosque Bombing- An Inside Job ?
I have read some informal estimates –full of caveats – suggesting the bombing of the Askariya Mosque – said to be one of the holiest places in the Shi’ite Muslim world – may have been an “inside job” ; and that it may well have been carried out by pro-Iranian followers of a radical Iraqi Shi’ite: Muqtada al-Sadr.
- The mosque, which is located in a predominantly Sunni area of Samarra,seems unlikely to have been accessible to anyone but known Shi’ites.
- The explosive charges were probably laid in a walkway, about halfway up the dome : a circumstance suggestive of free access.
- The amount of explosive used (about 60 lbs of C-4 equivalent) again suggests free access by at least two people, who may have had to make repeated trips during the setup process.
- The setup time was probably 3-4 hours– which again suggests virtually unrestricted access.
Q. Why would a pro-Iranian Shi’ite radical want to do such a thing ?
A. If a civil war could be ignited , and Iran persuaded to invade (under the pretext of “rescuing” the endangered Shi’ite brethren) , it might be worth “a little structural damage” to a mosque – especially when the image of the damaged mosque* would serve to further inflame the populace.( Al-Sadr already has armed militia men out on the streets “because the Americans cannot protect us.”)
This not a particularly attractive prospect for us – or for anyone else in harm’s way !
*The Askariya Mosque is said by Shi’ites to be the place where Muhammad al-Mahdi-the promised redeemer of Islam –will materialize just before the End of Days. It is considered a “Shi’ite shrine” ; however, it is worth noting both “main branches” of Islam have shown no reluctance to use “holy buildings” ( pretty much a Western concept) for weapons storage, ambushes,and other “unholy” uses.
Rate this post:
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...
Stumble It!
