On the Edge

Iraq edges closer to the abyss of all-out civil war, and we're powerless to stop it. At least we can refuse to jump in with them.

OUT.
NOW!

Sectarian Fury Turns Violent in Wake of Iraq Shrine Blast - New York Times

BAGHDAD, Iraq, Feb. 23 — At least 138 Iraqis, mostly Sunni Arabs and including some clerics, were killed in central Iraq Wednesday and today in the maelstrom of sectarian violence that followed the bombing of one of the country's most sacred Shiite shrines, Iraqi officials said.

Seven American soldiers also died in bombings, the American military said today.

The most powerful Sunni Arab political group said it was suspending talks with Shiite and Kurdish politicians to form a new government, accusing Shiite leaders of igniting anti-Sunni reprisals. Across the country, thousands of furious Shiites, some clad in black and wailing with grief, flooded the streets in a second day of protests against the shrine attack. The demonstrations today were mostly peaceful, with much of the violence that began on Wednesday having tapered off, though armed Shiites raided several Sunni mosques in Baghdad and set fire to at least two.

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