Kubiš Condemns Hilla Bombing, Deplores Continuing Loss of Life; Iraqis Should Not Fall Into The Trap of Terrorists Seeking to Fuel Sectarian Strife

“Once again the terrorists strike with untold savagery, leaving a trail of death and destruction,” the SRSG said. “This latest atrocity committed by a suicide attacker driving a vehicle packed with explosives targeted a busy roadblock near Hilla as cars queued for security checks. It was clearly intended to exact maximum casualties among civilians.”

“This horrifying attack adds to the terrorists’ long record of brutality that we and all Iraqis of different affiliations strongly condemn and totally reject,” Mr. Kubiš said.

The SRSG expresses his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims as well as to the Government and people of Iraq, and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured.

Mr. Kubiš reiterates his appeal to Iraqis not to fall into the trap of the terrorists who seek to undermine the country’s unity and fuel sectarian strife. In this connection, he applauds the restraint shown, for example, by the relatives of the victims and their communities of similar terrorist outrage on 29 February at a funeral ceremony in Muqdadiya. He calls on the Government of Iraq to make sure that the perpetrators of these crimes and those behind them are swiftly brought to justice. “Sooner or later justice avails those terrorists committing crimes against civilians, crimes against humanity”, said Mr. Kubiš.