A victim of the bombing (Al-Ittihad, Iraq, December 9, 2009)

The five simultaneous bombings of Iraqi government agencies, the third of its kind in three months, has enraged the Iraqi street because the government has failed to secure the safety of its people.

This last terrorist act yesterday was particularly audacious, taking place simultaneously on both banks of the Tigris River, which divides Baghdad into Al-Kharkh and Al-Risafa. The bombings, four of which were by cars driven by suicide bombers, caused 127 deaths and wounded 450. The targets were the Labor Ministry, elements of the Finance Ministry, the Appeals Court, the Constitutional Court, and the Institute of Fine Arts (the victim of collateral damage).

The timing of the bombings were also politically significant, coming hours after parliament had approved the new elections law, following weeks of deliberations and bargaining.

While Iraqi dailies accused Al-Qaeda and Ba'thists residing abroad in the bombing, the Iraqi daily Al-Mada also accused those outside Iraq who provide "filthy political money" to support terrorism. No country was mentioned.

Gen. Jihad Al-Jaberi, director-general for fighting explosives, said that the car bombs used yesterday were loaded with standard ordnance which could only have come from outside Iraq. He claims that Syrian logistical support and Saudi money were behind the acts of terrorism.

The bombings would most likely weaken Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki, who is running an election campaign based on achievements in the security field.  As with the two previous major terrorist acts that targeted key ministries, this time too the Iraqi leadership announced that it would reshuffle the leaders of the various security agencies, including the army.

Sources: Al-Zaman, Al-Mada, Al-Sabah, Al-Rafidayn, December 9, 2009, Iraq, December 9, 2009