Juan Cole: June 3, 2005

Sufi Gathering Targeted, 10 Dead

Andrew Marshall of Reuters reports,

"A suicide bomber blew himself up at a gathering of Sufi Muslims north of Baghdad, killing 10 people in the latest attack by Iraqi insurgents on religious sects they disapprove of, officials said on Friday. The bomber detonated his explosives on Thursday evening in a house near the town of Balad as Sufis gathered for a religious ceremony, Interior Ministry officials said. Sufis follow a form of Islamic mysticism that stresses the need for a personal experience of God. Some conservative Muslims consider them emotional or even heretical."

We'd need more context to understand what is going on here.

12,000 Dead in Iraqi Guerrilla War
Rate of Killing Same as Under Saddam

The final toll for Iraqis killed in guerrilla violence or the USG/Iraqi government response to it on Thursday grew to 39. In addition to the early-morning incidents reported here this morning, there were several further attacks around the country. In Baghdad, "men in three speeding cars sprayed gunfire into a crowded market in the northern neighborhood of Hurriyah, killing nine people . . ." In Mosul, a suicide bomber on a motorcycle killed 7 and wounded 10. In Mahmudiyah south of Baghdad, a roadside bomb killed 3 persons.

Oil Workers Mobilize
Iran Poised to Help with Reconstruction

Greg Muttit of the Guardian reports that the Iraqi oil workers' union is gearing up to fight any attempt to privatize the Iraqi oil industry. Since it can shut down oil production at will, it is a fight the union is likely to win.

The watermelon poisoner has been caught.

"Iraq's Ambassador to Iran, Mohammad Majid al-Sheikh, said that Iran is the most qualified country among neighboring states for reconstructing Iraq."