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Suicide bombings in Iraq since 2003 have killed thousands of people, mostly Iraqi civilians, and arguably constitute a new phenomenon in the history of warfare. Suicide bombings have been used as a tactic in other armed struggles, but their frequency and lethality in Iraq is unprecedented.^[1]

A 2005 Human Rights Watch report analysed the insurgency in Iraq and highlighted, "The groups that are most responsible for the abuse, namely al-Qaeda in Iraq and its allies, Ansar al-Sunna and the Islamic State of Iraq, have all targeted civilians for abductions and executions. The first two groups have repeatedly boasted about massive car bombs and suicide bombs in mosques, markets, bus stations and other civilian areas. Such acts are war crimes and in some cases may constitute crimes against humanity, which are defined as serious crimes committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack against a civilian population."^[2]

A 2008 RAND Research Brief Counterinsurgency in Iraq: 2003 - 2006 depicts a chart that shows in June and July 2004, Iraqi insurgents began to shift their focus away from attacking U.S. and coalition forces with roadside bombs and instead began targeting the Iraqi population with suicide bombers and vehicle-borne IEDs. By increasing the number of suicide bombings against civilians and accepting their targeting in retribution, the insurgents sought to expose the weakness of the coalition-Iraqi security and reconstruction apparatus, threaten those who collaborated with the government, generate funds and propaganda, and increasingly enact sectarian revenge. The U.S. failure to adapt to this shift had dramatic consequences. By June 2004, U.S. deaths represented less than 10% of overall deaths on the battlefield and Iraqi deaths represented more than 90% - a figure that remained constant for the next 18 months of the War.

Contents 1 Frequency of attacks 2 Chronology 2.1 2003: 25 suicide bombings 2.2 2004: 140 suicide bombings 2.3 2005: 478 suicide bombings 2.4 2006: 297 suicide bombings 2.5 2007: 442 Suicide Bombings 2.6 2008: 257 Suicide Bombings 2.7 2009: 76 Suicide Bombings 3 References 4 External links

[edit] Frequency of attacks

Determining the exact number of suicide bomber attacks in Iraq is a nearly impossible task. Attacks are so frequent that the global media no longer bother to investigate each attack. Even if reporters did follow up, most incidents that are attributed to suicide bombers are unverifiable (as the alleged bomber will have destroyed himself in the blast and any remains will be over-mixed with other human remains). In most reports, Coalition troops or Iraqi police are the sole source for the allegation of a suicide bomber attack. This single source for information raises the possibility that at least some of these attacks could be remotely detonated bombs and not suicide attacks.

[edit] Chronology

[edit] 2003: 25 suicide bombings

In 2003, the United States military invaded Iraq. There were 25 suicide bombings executed by 32 attackers over the course of the year.

[edit] 2004: 140 suicide bombings

In 2004, the number of suicide bombings increased dramatically. Iraq saw heavy combat at the violent First and Second Battles of Fallujah.

[edit] 2005: 478 suicide bombings

In 2005, Iraq held its first elections since the fall of the Saddam Hussein regime. Meanwhile, suicide bombings spiked, with 478 suicide bombings over the course of the year.

[edit] 2006: 297 suicide bombings

In 2006, sectarian strife dominated Iraq, although the overall number of suicide bombings fell. The deadliest attack of the war to that point occurred on November 23 in Sadr City.

[edit] 2007: 442 Suicide Bombings

In 2007, the United States executed the Iraq War troop surge of 2007. Meanwhile, 442 suicide bombings occurred, the second-most since the war began.

[edit] 2008: 257 Suicide Bombings

In 2008, following the troop surge, the number of suicide bombings dropped somewhat, with 257 attacks occurring.

[edit] 2009: 76 Suicide Bombings

In 2009 so far, 76 suicide bombings have occurred – the fewest since 2003. On June 30, 2009, American troops formally withdrew from Iraqi cities and towns, handing over control to Iraqi security forces. The United States is now the only foreign nation with troops in Iraq, following Australia's July 2009 withdrawal.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Hermeneutics of takfir Sectarian attacks

Insurgent and terrorist attacks of the Iraq War
Bombings (suicide) | Massacres | Kidnappings | Assassinations | Chemical attacks

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