List of bombings during the Iraq War explained

Bombings were a regular occurrence during the Iraq War. They resulted in tens of thousands of casualties throughout the country, killing and wounding civilians and combatants alike. Many Iraqi insurgents favoured the tactic of suicide bombing, which was used at a particularly unprecedented scale against the American-led Multi-National Force – Iraq (MNF–I).[1] Additionally, during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the United States and the United Kingdom collectively dropped 29,199 bombs on the country.[2] This article does not list these aerial attacks, and instead concentrates on the smaller number of direct insurgent bombings during the sectarian conflict, when Shia Muslims and Sunni Muslims fought each other on the one hand and the MNF–I on the other hand.

Most of the organized bombings were carried out by Sunni insurgents affiliated with Jama'at al-Tawhid wal Jihad, Al-Qaeda in Iraq, Jama'at Ansar al-Sunna, and the Islamic State of Iraq, among others. The main targets of these bombings were MNF–I troops and private military contractors, as well as local Iraqi collaborators. Upon the outbreak of the Iraqi civil war in 2006, the various Sunni and Shia militant groups fighting in the country had effectively shifted their focus away from the MNF–I and began increasingly targeting Iraqi civilians on the basis of their sectarian affiliation.

Perpetrators

A 2005 report by Human Rights Watch analyzed the Iraqi insurgency 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."[3]

Analysis

A 2008 research brief by the RAND Corporation on the subject of counter-insurgency tactics in Iraq between 2003 and 2006[4] depicts a chart that shows that in June and July 2004, Iraqi insurgents began to shift their focus away from attacking 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's and Iraqi government's 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.

An analysis by Iraq Body Count and co-authors published in 2011 concluded that at least 12,284 civilians were killed in at least 1,003 suicide bombings in Iraq between 2003 and 2010. The study reveals that suicide bombings killed 60 times as many civilians as they did soldiers.[5] [6]

Bombings

This article lists all major bombings of the Iraq War, which took place between 2003 and 2011. For bombings that occurred following the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the country, see: List of bombings during the Iraqi insurgency (2011–2013).

DateCityAttackDeathsPerpetrator(s)Source
7 August 2003Baghdad2003 Jordanian embassy bombing in Baghdad17Unknown[7]
19 August 2003BaghdadCanal Hotel bombing23 Jama'at al-Tawhid wal-Jihad[8]
29 August 2003NajafImam Ali Mosque bombing95Unknown[9]
27 October 2003Baghdad27 October 2003 Baghdad bombings34Unknown[10]
12 November 2003Nasiriyah2003 Nasiriyah bombing28 Jama'at al-Tawhid wal-Jihad[11]
27 December 2003Karbala2003 Karbala bombings19 Jama'at al-Tawhid wal-Jihad[12]
1 February 2004Erbil2004 Erbil bombings114Unknown[13]
2 March 2004Karbala and Baghdad 2004 Ashura bombings in Iraq158Unknown[14]
21 April 200421 April 2004 Basra bombings74Unknown[15]
24 June 20042004 Mosul bombings62 Jama'at al-Tawhid wal-Jihad[16]
28 July 20042004 Baqubah bombing68Unknown[17]
26 August 20042004 Kufa mosque bombing74Unknown[18]
14 September 2004Baghdad 14 September 2004 Baghdad bombing47Unknown[19]
30 September 2004Baghdad 30 September 2004 Baghdad bombing41 Jama'at al-Tawhid wal-Jihad[20]
19 December 2004Karbala and Najaf 2004 Karbala and Najaf bombings66Unknown[21]
21 December 2004Mosul 2004 Forward Operating Base Marez bombing22 Jamaat Ansar al-Sunna[22]
19 January 2005Baghdad 19 January 2005 Baghdad bombings26Unknown[23]
28 February 20052005 Al Hillah bombing127Raed Mansour al-Banna[24]
16 July 2005Baghdad 2005 Musayyib bombing100Unknown[25]
17 August 200517 August 2005 Baghdad bombings43Unknown[26]
18 November 20052005 Khanaqin bombings74Unknown[27]
5 January 20065 January 2006 Iraq bombings140Unknown[28]
22 February 20062006 al-Askari mosque bombing0Unknown[29]
7 April 2006Baghdad Buratha mosque bombing85Unknown[30]
1 July 2006Baghdad 1 July 2006 Sadr City bombing77"The Supporters of the Sunni People"[31]
23 November 2006Baghdad 23 November 2006 Sadr City bombings215Unknown[32]
16 January 2007Baghdad Mustansiriya University bombings70Unknown[33]
22 January 2007Baghdad 22 January 2007 Baghdad bombings88Unknown[34]
3 February 2007Baghdad 3 February 2007 Baghdad market bombing135Unknown[35]
12 February 2007Baghdad 12 February 2007 Baghdad bombings76Unknown[36]
18 February 2007Baghdad 18 February 2007 Baghdad bombings63Unknown[37]
6 March 2007Hillah 2007 Al Hillah bombings200Unknown[38]
27 March 20072007 Tal Afar bombings and massacre152Unknown[39]
29 March 2007Baghdad 29 March 2007 Baghdad bombings82Unknown[40]
12 April 2007Baghdad 2007 Iraqi Parliament bombing1 Islamic State of Iraq[41]
14 April 2007Karbala 2007 Karbala mosque bombings42Unknown[42]
18 April 2007Baghdad 18 April 2007 Baghdad bombings198Unknown[43]
28 April 2007Karbala 2007 Karbala mosque bombings68Unknown[44]
13 May 20072007 Makhmour bombing50Unknown[45]
13 June 2007Samarra 2007 al-Askari mosque bombing0Unknown[46]
7 July 20072007 Amirli bombing156Unknown[47]
16 July 20072007 Kirkuk bombings86Unknown[48]
26 July 2007Baghdad 26 July 2007 Baghdad market bombing92Unknown[49]
1 August 2007Baghdad 1 August 2007 Baghdad bombings74Unknown[50]
14 August 2007Qahtaniyah bombings796Unknown[51]
13 December 20072007 Al Amarah bombings46Unknown[52]
1 February 2008Baghdad 1 February 2008 Baghdad bombings98Unknown[53]
10 February 20082008 Balad bombing25Unknown[54]
6 March 2008Baghdad 6 March 2008 Baghdad bombing68Unknown[55]
17 March 2008Karbala 2008 Karbala bombing42Unknown[56]
17 June 2008Baghdad 17 June 2008 Baghdad bombing51Unknown[57]
15 July 2008Baqubah 2008 Baquba bombings35 Islamic State of Iraq[58]
12 September 20082008 Dujail bombing31 Islamic State of Iraq[59]
11 December 2008Dujail Abdullah restaurant bombing55Unknown[60]
8 March 2009Baghdad 2009 Baghdad police recruitment centre bombing28Unknown[61]
6 April 2009Baghdad 2009 Baghdad bombings34Unknown[62]
23 April 200923 April 2009 Iraqi suicide attacks76Unknown[63]
20 June 2009Taza Khurmatu2009 Taza bombing73Unknown[64]
24 June 2009Baghdad June 2009 Baghdad bombing69Unknown[65]
30 June 2009Kirkuk 2009 Kirkuk bombing40Unknown[66]
9 July 2009Tal Afar 2009 Tal Afar bombing40Unknown[67]
19 August 2009Baghdad August 2009 Baghdad bombings101 Islamic State of Iraq[68]
25 October 2009Baghdad October 2009 Baghdad bombings155 Islamic State of Iraq[69]
8 December 2009Baghdad December 2009 Baghdad bombings127 Islamic State of Iraq[70]
25 January 2010Baghdad 25 January 2010 Baghdad bombings41Unknown[71]
1 February 2010Baghdad 1 February 2010 Baghdad bombing54Unknown[72]
3 March 2010Baghdad 2010 Baqubah bombings33Unknown[73]
23 April 2010Baghdad April 2010 Baghdad bombings85Unknown[74]
10 May 201010 May 2010 Iraq attacks114Unknown[75]
8 July 2010BaghdadJuly 2010 Baghdad attacks70Unknown[76]
17 August 2010Baghdad17 August 2010 Baghdad bombings69 Islamic State of Iraq[77]
25 August 201025 August 2010 Iraq bombings53 Islamic State of Iraq[78]
19 September 2010Baghdad19 September 2010 Baghdad bombings31 Islamic State of Iraq[79]
31 October 2010Baghdad31 October 2010 Baghdad bombings69 Islamic State of Iraq[80]
2 November 2010Baghdad19 September 2010 Baghdad bombings113 Islamic State of Iraq[81]
18 January 2011TikritJanuary 2011 Iraq suicide attacks63 Islamic State of Iraq[82]
19 January 2011BaqubahJanuary 2011 Iraq suicide attacks12Unknown[83]
20 January 2011KarbalaJanuary 2011 Iraq suicide attacks56Unknown[84]
24 January 2011Baghdad and Karbala24 January 2011 Iraq bombings56Unknown[85]
27 January 2011Baghdad27 January 2011 Baghdad bombing48Unknown[86]
12 February 2011Samarra2011 Samarra bombing48Unknown[87]
29 March 2011Tikrit2011 Tikrit assault65 Islamic State of Iraq[88]
5 May 2011Hillah2011 Al Hillah bombing24 Islamic State of Iraq[89]
21 June 2011Diwaniyah2011 Al Diwaniyah bombing27 Islamic State of Iraq[90]
5 July 2011Taji2011 Taji bombings35Unknown[91]
15 August 201115 August 2011 Iraq attacks64Unknown[92]
28 August 2011Baghdad28 August 2011 Baghdad bombing32 Islamic State of Iraq[93]
25 September 2011Karbala2011 Karbala bombing25Unknown[94]
7 October 2011BaghdadOctober 2011 Baghdad bombings7Unknown[95]
10 October 2011BaghdadOctober 2011 Baghdad bombings10Unknown[96]
12 October 2011BaghdadOctober 2011 Baghdad bombings29Unknown[97]
13 October 2011BaghdadOctober 2011 Baghdad bombings18Unknown[98]
24 November 2011Basra2011 Basra bombings18Unknown[99]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Suicide attacks soaring in Iraq . Post-gazette.com . June 2, 2005 . January 31, 2009 . Carol J. . Williams.
  2. Off Target: The Conduct of the War and Civilian Casualties in Iraq, Part II: Conduct of the Air War. Human Rights Watch. 1564322939. December 2003. December 1, 2021.
  3. Web site: Iraq: Insurgent Groups Responsible for War Crimes . Human Rights News . October 3, 2005 . August 29, 2006.
  4. Web site: Counterinsurgency in Iraq (2003-2006) . 17 January 2008 . 27 June 2015. Pirnie . Bruce R. . O'Connell . Edward .
  5. News: Casualties of suicide bombings in Iraq, 2003-2010 . iraqbodycount.org . September 3, 2011 . March 20, 2012.
  6. News: Casualties in civilians and coalition soldiers from suicide bombings in Iraq, 2003—10: a descriptive study . The Lancet . September 3, 2011 . March 20, 2012.
  7. Web site: Baghdad blast kills 10 at Jordanian Embassy. CNN. 9 April 2023.
  8. Web site: The Canal Hotel Bombing in Iraq remains carved in the collective memory of the United Nations family. Minurso.com. 19 August 2022 . 9 April 2023.
  9. Web site: Najaf bombing kills Shiite leader, followers say. CNN. 9 April 2023.
  10. Web site: Background: Deadly Attacks in Iraq. PBS. https://web.archive.org/web/20140115172441/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/middle_east/july-dec03/iraq_bg_10-27.html . 9 April 2023. 2014-01-15 .
  11. News: Attack on Italian police kills 26 in Iraq / Gasoline truck crashes into compound. SFGate. 9 April 2023.
  12. Web site: Karbala attacks kill 12, wound dozens. CNN. 9 April 2023.
  13. Web site: Death toll climbs in Iraq suicide blasts. CNN. 9 April 2023.
  14. Web site: Deadly attacks rock Baghdad, Karbala. CNN. 9 April 2023.
  15. Web site: Scores killed in Iraqi bombings. BBC. 9 April 2023.
  16. Web site: Multiple attacks kill 100 in Iraq. BBC. 9 April 2023.
  17. Web site: Dozens die in Iraq mosque bombing. BBC. 9 April 2023.
  18. Web site: Scores killed in Iraq bomb attack. BBC. 9 April 2023.
  19. Web site: Car Bomb Kills at Least 47 at a Police Headquarters in Baghdad. New York Times. 9 April 2023.
  20. Web site: Dozens of children killed in bomb attack in Baghdad. CBC. 9 April 2023.
  21. Web site: Bombs in Karbala, Najaf kill 67. CNN. https://web.archive.org/web/20041223235105/http://edition.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/12/19/iraq.main/index.html/ . 9 April 2023. 2004-12-23 .
  22. News: Bomber of Mess Hall Was Reportedly Saudi . LA Times. 4 January 2005 . 9 April 2023.
  23. News: 26 killed in Baghdad blasts . The Guardian. 19 January 2005 . 9 April 2023.
  24. Web site: Deadliest Single Attack Since Fall of Hussein Kills More Than 120. NY Times. 9 April 2023.
  25. News: Death Toll Rises to 100 in Suicide Blast in Iraq. Washington Post. 9 April 2023.
  26. Web site: Triple Baghdad blasts kill dozens. BBC. 9 April 2023.
  27. Web site: Iraq suicide attacks kill dozens. BBC. 9 April 2023.
  28. News: Insurgents Kill 140 as Iraq Clashes Escalate. Washington Post. 9 April 2023.
  29. Web site: Iraqi shrine bombing spurs wave of sectarian reprisals. CBC. 9 April 2023.
  30. Web site: Dozens die in Iraq mosque attack. BBC. 9 April 2023.
  31. News: Car Bombing Kills Dozens in Baghdad Market. Washington Post. 9 April 2023.
  32. Web site: Baghdad curfew after bombing wave. BBC. 9 April 2023.
  33. Web site: Double bombing at university kills 60 in Baghdad. Reuters. 9 April 2023.
  34. Web site: Scores killed in Iraq bloodshed. Reuters. 9 April 2023.
  35. Web site: Scores Killed in Baghdad Market Blast . ABC News. https://web.archive.org/web/20070205082611/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=2847275/ . 9 April 2023. 2007-02-05 .
  36. Web site: Dozens killed in Baghdad bombings. BBC. https://web.archive.org/web/20070205082611/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=2847275/ . 9 April 2023. 2007-02-05 .
  37. Web site: Baghdad car bombs leave 60 dead. BBC. 9 April 2023.
  38. Web site: 25 Worst Acts Of Terrorism Ever Committed. list25. 9 April 2023.
  39. Web site: 25 Worst Acts Of Terrorism Ever Committed. BBC. 9 April 2023.
  40. Web site: Death toll rises to 82 from Baghdad blasts. Khaleejtimes. https://web.archive.org/web/20070930210443/http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?col=&section=focusoniraq&xfile=data/focusoniraq/2007/March/focusoniraq_March201.xml/. 9 April 2023. 2007-09-30.
  41. Web site: Suicide bomber kills Iraqi MPs. Telegraph. 13 April 2007. 10 April 2023.
  42. Web site: Suicide attack on Iraqi holy city. BBC. 10 April 2023.
  43. Web site: Suspected Qaeda bombs kill nearly 200 in Baghdad. Reuters. 10 April 2023.
  44. Web site: Bomb kills many in Iraq holy city. BBC. 10 April 2023.
  45. Web site: Bomb kills many in Iraq holy city. BBC. 10 April 2023.
  46. Web site: Iraq bombers topple Samarra minarets . Yahoo. https://web.archive.org/web/20070616051221/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070613/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq/ . 10 April 2023. 2007-06-16 .
  47. Web site: Iraq market truck bomb kills 105 . BBC. 10 April 2023.
  48. Web site: Truck bomb kills at least 80 in Kirkuk. CNN. https://web.archive.org/web/20070811094136/http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/07/16/iraq.main/index.html/. 10 April 2023. 2007-08-11.
  49. In Iraq, death tolls often in dispute. CSMonitor. 10 April 2023.
  50. Web site: Car bombs kill dozens in Baghdad. BBC. 10 April 2023.
  51. Web site: Al-Qaeda blamed for Yazidi carnage. Thescotsman. https://web.archive.org/web/20071101031829/http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=1294152007/. 10 April 2023. 2007-11-01.
  52. Web site: Car bombs kill at least 46, injure 149 in southern Iraq. Boston. 10 April 2023.
  53. Web site: Twin bombs kill scores in Baghdad. BBC. 10 April 2023.
  54. Web site: Iraq town hit by deadly car bomb. BBC. 10 April 2023.
  55. Web site: Baghdad Blast Toll Rises. Al Jazeera. 10 April 2023.
  56. Web site: Dozens killed near Iraqi shrine. BBC. 10 April 2023.
  57. Web site: Baghdad bus stop bomb 'kills 51'. BBC. 10 April 2023.
  58. Web site: Bombers kill Iraq army recruits. BBC. 10 April 2023.
  59. Web site: 31 Killed in Car Bomb Attack on Iraq Shiite Enclave. NY Times. 10 April 2023.
  60. Web site: At least 55 killed in Iraq restaurant bombing. NBC News. 11 December 2008 . 10 April 2023.
  61. Web site: Baghdad police attack 'kills 28'. BBC. 10 April 2023.
  62. Web site: Six car bombs kill 34 across Baghdad. Reuters. 10 April 2023.
  63. Web site: Suicide bombs kill scores in Iraq. BBC. 10 April 2023.
  64. Web site: 'Many dead' in Iraq truck bombing . BBC. 10 April 2023.
  65. Web site: Baghdad market bomb kills scores. BBC. 10 April 2023.
  66. Web site: Kirkuk bombed amid US pullout . Al Jazeera. https://web.archive.org/web/20090804144404/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/07/20097135313957256.html/ . 10 April 2023. 2009-08-04 .
  67. Web site: Dozens killed in Iraqi bombings. BBC. 10 April 2023.
  68. Web site: 95 killed on Iraq's deadliest day since U.S. handover . CNN. 10 April 2023.
  69. Web site: Baghdad bomb fatalities pass 150. BBC. 10 April 2023.
  70. Web site: Al-Qaeda group claims Iraq attack. BBC. 10 April 2023.
  71. Web site: Triple bomb blasts rock Baghdad. Al Jazeera. 11 April 2023.
  72. News: 54 killed as suicide bomber targets Shiite pilgrims in Iraq. LA Times. 2 February 2010. 11 April 2023.
  73. News: Suicide bombings kill 31 as Iraq elections near . LA Times. 4 March 2010 . 11 April 2023.
  74. Web site: Dozens killed in Baghdad in 'revenge al-Qaeda attacks'. BBC. 11 April 2023.
  75. Web site: At least 100 killed in Iraqi violence. BBC. 11 April 2023.
  76. News: Fresh Iraq bombings hit Shia pilgrims in Baghdad. BBC. 8 July 2010 . 11 April 2023.
  77. Web site: Scores killed in attack on army recruitment centre. France24. 17 August 2010 . 11 April 2023.
  78. News: Dozens killed in wave of bombings across Iraq. BBC. 25 August 2010 . 11 April 2023.
  79. News: Twin blasts in Baghdad 'kill 23'. BBC. 19 September 2010 . 11 April 2023.
  80. News: Twin blasts in Baghdad 'kill 23'. BBC. 19 September 2010 . 11 April 2023.
  81. News: At least 113 killed in series of Baghdad attacks . LA Times . 11 April 2023.
  82. News: Suicide bomber kills dozens in Tikrit. Washington Post. 12 April 2023.
  83. News: Baquba ambulance suicide bomber targets Iraq police. BBC. 19 January 2011. 12 April 2023.
  84. News: Karbala bombs kill dozens during Shia commemorations. BBC. 20 January 2011. 12 April 2023.
  85. Web site: Bombings Strike Shiite Pilgrims at Iraqi City. NY Times. 12 April 2023.
  86. News: Bomb at Baghdad funeral in Shia Muslim area kills 48. BBC. 27 January 2011. 12 April 2023.
  87. Web site: Death toll rises to 48 in Iraq suicide bombing. Reuters. 12 April 2023.
  88. News: Dozens killed in attack on Tikrit council. The Guardian. 29 March 2011. 12 April 2023.
  89. Web site: Al Qaeda in Iraq claims Hilla attack, vows revenge. Dawn. 9 May 2011. 15 April 2023.
  90. Web site: Attack in Iraq Kills Dozens Near House of Governor. NY Times. 15 April 2023.
  91. Web site: 35 dead in Iraq double bomb attacks. SMH. 5 July 2011. 15 April 2023.
  92. Web site: FACTBOX-Security developments in Iraq, August 15. Trust.org. https://web.archive.org/web/20120225230140/http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/factbox-security-developments-in-iraq-august-15//. 15 April 2023. 2012-02-25.
  93. News: Baghdad mosque attack: Suicide bomber kills at least 28. BBC. 28 August 2011. 15 April 2023.
  94. Web site: Deadly explosions hit Iraq's Karbala city. Al Jazeera. 15 April 2023.
  95. Web site: Deadly explosions hit Iraq's Karbala city. Al Jazeera. 15 April 2023.
  96. Web site: FACTBOX-Security developments in Iraq, Oct 14. Reliefweb. 14 October 2010. 15 April 2023.
  97. Web site: Security developments in Iraq, October 12. Trust.org. 15 April 2023.
  98. Web site: Security developments in Iraq, October 14. Trust.org. 15 April 2023.
  99. News: Bombs in Iraqi southern city of Basra kill 19. BBC. 24 November 2011 . 15 April 2023.

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