posted on Jan, 14 2005 @ 09:41 PM
In another example of the increasing violence occuring in Iraq leading up to the Jan 30 elections, a bus carrying 15 Iraqi soldiers to a US Army base
was attacked with rocket propelled grenades. However, when the wreckage was examined no bodies were found. The soldiers are feared to have been
kidnapped.
abcnews.com
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Insurgents rocketed an Iraqi military bus west of the capital Friday and 15 Iraqi soldiers were missing and feared kidnapped, as
insurgent violence and intimidation escalated ahead of this month's crucial national election.
A senior American officer acknowledged that violence and threats by insurgents might keep some people in Baghdad away from the Jan. 30 polls.
The bus was driving to a U.S. military post when it was struck by rocket-propelled grenades near Baghdadi, about 90 miles west of the capital, said an
Iraqi National Guard officer who identified himself only as Lt. Col. Hesham.
He said the bus burst into flames but no bodies were found, raising fears the troops had been taken prisoner.
Please visit the link provided for the complete story.
It appears that the Sunni minority in Iraq is becoming more and more fearful of losing power to the long suppressed Shiite majority. Sunni clerics
are urging a boycott and Sunni insurgents are threatening to attack voting centers.
As the election draws nearer, and attacks increase, security forces will likely be unable to protect those Iraqis who want to vote. If the election
installs a government without popular support due to Iraqis being driven away from the voting centers, this could lead to decades more disruption and
civil unrest.
[edit on 14-1-2005 by Banshee]