Iraq News
Terrorism

Fallujah bombing targets families celebrating Eid

By Khalid al-Taie

Iraqi children enjoy rides at an amusement park in central Fallujah. Iraqi forces have stepped up security measures in Anbar after a bomb targeted a public park on June 26th, the second day of Eid al-Fitr. [Photo courtesy of Fallujah Mayorality]

Iraqi children enjoy rides at an amusement park in central Fallujah. Iraqi forces have stepped up security measures in Anbar after a bomb targeted a public park on June 26th, the second day of Eid al-Fitr. [Photo courtesy of Fallujah Mayorality]

One policeman was killed and nine people injured in a bombing that targeted families celebrating Eid al-Fitr in a public park in Anbar province, Fallujah mayor Issa al-Sayer told Diyaruna Wednesday (June 28th).

The attack took place late Monday at a public park teeming with Eid revelers in central Fallujah, he said.

"An improvised explosive device (IED) planted by unknown assailants in a motorcycle parked near the main park in the city exploded at 11 p.m. local time on Monday," he said.

One policeman was killed and two others were wounded, al-Sayer said, adding that "seven civilians were also lightly wounded".

Al-Sayer blamed the attack on the "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS).

"It reflects the heinousness of ISIS elements and their attempt to spoil the Eid joy for citizens and disrupt the stable situation in Fallujah one year after its liberation," he added.

Fallujah was fully recaptured from ISIS on June 26th, 2016, after a military operation that lasted less than a month.

Increased security measures

"Iraqi forces have stepped up their security measures to protect citizens, especially at markets, public parks and amusement parks," al-Sayer said.

"They have also launched a campaign to search for the perpetrators and gather intelligence on their whereabouts," he added.

The situation in Fallujah is stable, he said, stressing that the latest attack did not deter citizens from visiting recreation facilities and celebrating Eid.

Earlier Tuesday (June 27th), there were reports of a similar deadly blast near an amusement park in Anbar's provincial capital of Ramadi.

Ramadi mayor Ibrahim al-Awsaj on Wednesday refuted these reports, saying that "the news was completely unfounded".

"There have not been any security breaches and the situation in town is stable," he told Diyaruna, stressing that Ramadi has not recorded any terrorist incidents in more than a year.

The mayor urged media outlets to be accurate in reporting the news and to seek information from reliable sources.

"Such reports serve the terrorists' intentions in sowing panic among citizens," he said.

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