Al-Zarqawi group claims hit
2004-12-29 08:37
Baghdad - The group of Jordanian militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi claimed responsibility on Tuesday for an assassination attempt against the leader of Iraq's largest Shiite Muslim party that killed and wounded dozens of people.
In a statement posted on an internet website, al-Zarqawi's al-Qaeda group in Iraq said one of its members carried out the suicide attack near Abdel Aziz al-Hakim's office on Monday that killed 15 people and wounded more than 50.
Al-Hakim, who was not in the office, but in his house, was not hurt.
The assassination attempt came a month before Iraq's general elections, in which al-Hakim is running.
Most Sunni Muslims are boycotting it by saying it should not be held under US occupation and amid deteriorating security.
High-profile attacks in Iraq
Shiites, who make up 60% of Iraq's 26 million, want to show their strength through elections after living under Sunni domination for decades.
The statement said: "On Monday, one of the lions of the martyrdom seekers brigades, belonging to the military wing of al-Qaeda in Iraq launched an attack in order to wipe out one of the symbols of treason for the Americans."
It added: "We tell you Hakim that if one arrow missed you we have many more arrows."
US officials have offered a reward of $25m for the capture of al-Zarqawi.
He is believed to be behind numerous high-profile attacks in Iraq, including last year's bombing of the UN headquarters.
This also includes the beheading of several foreign hostages and the August 2003 killing of al-Hakim's elder brother, Mohammed Baqir, in the Shiite holy city of Najaf.
- AP