Saturday, December 30, 2006

A day of death following Saddam's hanging


At least 4 car bombs detonated in Iraq today, claiming over 60 lives and causing over 100 injuries. The explosions follow Saddam Hussein's execution earlier this morning. Saddam's followers of the Sunni faction in Iraq swear to keep fighting against the Americans and Shi'ites in Iraq.

Saddam's lawyer predicted that violence will follow the hanging of Saddam and that all those who were involved in his execution will pay dearly for their participation in it.

Mixed feelings over Saddam's execution

Shi'ites celebrated in the streets of Baghdad as news of Saddam's death circulated. Sunnis, however, mourned their leader's passing. Kurdish leaders also expressed satisfaction at the death of the "Butcher of Baghdad" and expressed the hope that his demise shall mark the turning of a new leaf in Iraq and an end to the internal bloodshed.
Sunnis criticized the time of execution, on the Muslim Holiday of Sacrifice. It is believed that Iraqi officials simply did not wish to wait fearing a wave of kidnappings and rescue attempts.

Saddam Hussein has been hanged


Saddam Hussein, Iraq's dictator who ruled the country between 1979-2003 was executed this morning in Iraq.

Saddam who led his country to an 8 year war with Iran and to the first Gulf War by his invasion of Kuwait in 1990, was hanged this morning.

Saddam, who is responsible for the death of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis, Kurds, Iranians, Kuwaitis and others was toppled by the US army in the second Gulf War. Saddam faced trial in an Iraqi tribunal and was found guilty of murder.

Saddam whose request to face a firing squad was denied, refused to wear a blindfold and did not resist his execution.

Officials of the Iraqi government who witnessed the execution danced in rejoice around the body in what many view as a horrible spectacle.