22 Killed In Twin Car Bombings In Baghdad

February 12, 2008 6:03 a.m. EST

Baghdad, Iraq (AHN) - At least 22 people were killed after Islamic extremist penetrated a high-security apartment compound in the western Anbar province in Iraq, housing Sunni tribal heads and blew up two car bombs, as the al-Qaida terrorist network focuses its attacks against U.S. allies.

The blast tore offices of one of Iraq's most influential Shiite politicians, ABdul-Aziz al-Hakim. Authorities believe the twin bombings were targeting Sunni tribal chiefs residing in the compound.

The al-Qaida and its supporters in the region have diverted their attacks against traditional Sunni allies, who have formed the Awakening Council in 2007, to assist the U.S.-led coalition forces in the region to defeat the wave of terrorism in the war-torn country.

The deputy chief of Anbar province's largest Sunni tribe Sheik Ali Hatem al-Sulaiman said six of their bodyguards were among those fatalities and added at least 20 more others were injured in the attacks.

He points to the al-Qaida as responsible for the twin bombings.

The Council has pledged to retaliate and punish those responsible for the bloody bombings.