A massive truck and car bombing in Baghdad on October 25th has killed more than 155 people and injured hundreds more. It is the deadliest attack in Iraq in 2 years. The bombs exploded outside a number of important government offices, including the Iraqi Ministry of Justice and the headquarters of the Baghdad Provincial Council.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said these attacks would not derail the political process or upcoming parliamentary elections. "These cowardly terrorist attacks," said Mr. al-Maliki, "must not affect the determination of the Iraqi people to continue their struggle against the remnants of the dismantled regime and al-Qaida terrorists." U.S. President Barack Obama strongly condemned the "outrageous attacks on the Iraqi people" and expressed his deepest condolences to those who have lost loved ones. "These bombings," said President Obama, "serve no purpose other than the murder of innocent men, women, and children, and they only reveal the hateful and destructive agenda of those who would deny the Iraqi people the future that they deserve." U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the perpetrators of these attacks will not be allowed to destroy what Iraq has achieved in the last 6 years. "These despicable terrorist acts," said Secretary Clinton, "seek to undermine the impressive progress that Iraq has made towards stability and self-reliance. They will not succeed," she said. "They will not deter Iraqis from administering justice based on the rule of law and carrying out their legitimate responsibilities in governing Baghdad." The United States stands by all Iraqis at this crucial time leading up to national elections and pledges to help to combat all forms of violence and attempts at intimidation. Those responsible for terrorist acts must be pursued and brought to justice. The U.S. will continue to support the people and government of Iraq in fighting terrorism.
