All articles tagged with #shiite
Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei made his first public appearance since the Iran-Israel conflict escalated, which included Iran firing over 550 missiles at Israel in retaliation for recent attacks, and commemorated the martyrdom of Hussein, a key figure in Shiite Islam, highlighting ongoing religious and geopolitical tensions.
A blast at a Shi'ite mosque in northern Afghanistan during Friday prayers has left at least seven people dead and 15 others severely injured. The attack, which was possibly carried out by a suicide bomber, has not been claimed by any terrorist group. Afghanistan has been facing an insurgency by Islamic State militants, who have been responsible for a series of deadly attacks in recent months.
A gunman opened fire at the Shah Cheragh shrine in southern Iran, killing one person and injuring eight others. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, but Iran has previously faced attacks from Sunni extremists, such as the Islamic State group. The shrine, one of Iran's top five Shiite shrines, draws pilgrims to the city of Shiraz. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. This incident follows a similar attack in October 2022, also targeting the same shrine, which killed 13 people.
Saddam Hussein's statues and images have been removed from Baghdad, but the hope that came with wiping away his oppressive visual presence has evaporated due to years of brutal violence, a wrecked economy, and rampant corruption by the new political elite of sectarian-based factions. Some of Saddam's signature monuments remain in place, largely because they had a nationalist meaning that went beyond him. The domination of Iran-backed Shiite parties in the government has led to the proliferation of Shiite imagery around Baghdad.
Saddam Hussein's statues and images have been removed from Iraq, but the hope that came with it has evaporated due to years of violence, a wrecked economy, and rampant corruption by the new political elite of sectarian-based factions. Some of Saddam's signature monuments remain in place, largely because they had a nationalist meaning that went beyond him. The Victory Arch and the al-Shaheed Monument still tower over the Tigris River. Saddam's presence can still be found on the American University in Baghdad campus, where his initials are etched on the walls and ceilings.