Iraqi forces disrupt terrorist attack near French embassy

Iraqi forces disrupt terrorist attack near French embassy

2010-11-30 15:05:54 GMT+7 (ICT)

BAGHDAD, IRAQ (BNO NEWS) -- Iraqi forces on Monday disrupted a terrorist attack near the French embassy in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, France24 television reported.

According to the news report, Iraqi authorities said they were able to thwart an attempt by a suicide bomber to blow up a vehicle near the French embassy. If successful, this would have been the second terrorist attack against a foreign embassy this year.

On April 4, three suicide bombers from insurgent groups detonated cars containing explosives nearly simultaneously, targeting regional and European missions in Baghdad. Al-Qaeda claimed responsibility for the attacks.

The April attacks involved two car bombs against the Egyptian and Iranian missions. A third suicide bombing took place at an intersection near the German, Spanish and Syrian embassies. Overall, 30 people were killed and 224 others were injured.

Monday's announcement was made by Brigadier General Ahmed Abu Rheef, director of internal affairs and security at the interior ministry, who informed that the responsible group is the same which took dozens of worshipers hostage at a Baghdad cathedral.

It was not specified when the attack was to take place or at which location the suicide bomber was supposed to strike. However, the interior ministry told officials of several countries that the arrest of a dozen of individuals involved in the church attack led to the disruption of the embassy bombing plot.

Among those detained after the church attack was Huthaifa al-Batawi, the Baghdad chief of the Islamic State of Iraq. This is the Al-Qaeda front group that carried out the attack which resulted in the killing of 44 people, two priests and five security force members.

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