The New York Times reports on yet another tragic weekend in Iraq, courtesy of, apparently, Al Qaeda in Iraq
In a coordinated display intended to show they remain a viable force, Iraqi insurgents launched at least 40 separate attacks on Monday morning, setting off car bombs, storming a military base and ambushing checkpoints, Iraqi authorities said.
It was the single bloodiest day this year, with at least 112 people killed and more than 300 wounded in preliminary totals, according to local Iraqi officials in the many areas where attacks took place. The toll could rise still further as reports of further strikes continued to come in from provinces in northern and central Iraq well into the afternoon.
What makes it especially twisted is that the
… offensive was launched on the third day of the Ramadan holy month, and apparently took advantage of the widespread practice in Iraq and many other Muslim countries of staying up most of the night, and then sleeping late during daytime when fasting is required. … The first attack came about 5 a.m. on Monday. … Then in steady succession, mostly between 6 and 10 a.m. local time, car bombs were set off at places from Taji and Husseiniya.
However impressive the coordination, how can this be halal for an organization supposedly based on a strict interpretation of the Koran? As usual Al Qaeda makes a mockery of Islam.