Citizens fear al-Qaeda’s retaliation after Bin Laden’s death

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: A number of Baghdadians expressed to IraqiNews.com their fear that Qaeda organization in Iraq will escalate its attacks in the country to retaliate the killing of its leader Osama bin Laden during a military operation in Pakistan. Two of the citizens believed that the presence of US forces in Iraq will turn the country into “a retaliation place.” Mohammed Saleem, 43, said that the news of killing Bin Laden “gave us a special joy, because he is the head of terrorism, which we greatly suffered from, but , now, we fear revenge operations in an unsuitable security situation”. For the last three months, differences were underway for the nomination of the security and defence posts, the first is to be given to the National Alliance and the second to Iraqiyah coalition, but both sides reject other’s nominee under the pretext of non-neutrality and lack of professionalism. Earlier, it was agreed that these posts should be given to independent personalities, thus they remained vacant despite the attacks conducted by armed groups. “Al-Qaeda armed reaction against America shall be through the Iraqi scene”, Saleem added. Nada Saleem, 30, believed that al-Qaeda is “known for its revenge operations, thus, they, sooner or later, will think of taking their revenge”. “We have to take measures to prevent the attacks, but not on the account of the citizen, like closing streets and increasing check point,” she added. Hussein Abdul-Latif, 38, looks upon the matter from different angle. “Bin Laden death will not change the security situation in Iraq, because the deterioration here is due to political differences, though the people are afraid of its repercussions”, he added. Rashad Fouad, 24, commented that ” Bin Laden was a danger for the whole world, not only Iraq“. “He used to kill Iraqis through his speeches. Iraq is unstable from security point of view. We have to be more careful. Al-Qaeda will revenge through the Iraqi territories as long as US forces remain in the country “, he concluded. A number of Arab and international media broadcasted US president Barack Obama’s speech announcing the killing of Qaeda master-minded Osama bin Laden in a special military operation in Pakistan, in cooperation with the Pakistani government, in a residence complex near Islamabad. Identification of the personality was made through examining his DNA, as reported. RM (TS)/SH 1444