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'{{Infobox terrorist attack |title=2010 Baghdad church attack |image= |caption= |target= [[Iraq Stock Exchange]], ''Our Lady of Salvation'' cathedral<ref name="va"/> |date=31 October 2010 |time-begin=17:00<ref name="nyt"/> |time-end=~21:30 |timezone=[[UTC]]+4 |type=Raid and hostage situation |fatalities=58 |injuries=78<ref name=baghoct10/> |susperps= |perps= [[Islamic State of Iraq]] |Footage= }} The '''2010 Baghdad church attack'''<ref>Spencer, Richard (2010-11-01).[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iraq/8102419/Pope-condemns-Baghdad-church-massacre.html "Pope condemns Baghdad church massacre"]. ''The Daily Telegraph''. Retrieved on 2010-11-04.</ref> was an attack on the ''Our Lady of Salvation'' [[Syriac Catholic]] [[cathedral]]<ref>[http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2010/11/01/baghdad_church_siege_ends_with_52_dead/ "Iraqi Christians mourn after church siege kills 58"] Boston.com, 2010-11-01. Retrieved 2010-11-11.</ref> of [[Baghdad]], [[Iraq]], that took place during Sunday evening [[Mass (liturgy)|Mass]] on October 31, 2010. The attack left at least 58 people dead, after more than 100 had been taken hostage. The [[al-Qaeda]]-linked [[Sunni]] insurgent group<ref>[http://www.ft.com/cms/s/e239159e-5c6a-11db-9e7e-0000779e2340.html "Call for Sunni state in Iraq".] ''[[Financial Times|ft.com]]'', 2006-10-15. Retrieved 2010-11-07. Registration required.</ref> [[Islamic State of Iraq]] claimed responsibility for the attack. ==Background== Prior to the [[Iraq War]], the country was described as a "mélange of beliefs, customs and traditions." After the war, however, sectarian strife took over, with many killings of [[Sunni]]s and [[Shia]]s, as well as [[Christians]], although none, according to ''[[The New York Times]]'', elicited as much outrage as this attack. It also reported that Iraq is now "defined more by war, occupation and deprivation. Identities have hardened; diversity has faded."<ref name="nyt2">[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/02/world/middleeast/02iraq.html?_r=1&scp=3&sq=anthony%20shadid&st=cse "Church Attack Seen as Strike at Iraq’s Core"] ''New York Times'', 2010-11-02. Retrieved 2010-11-09.</ref> This was the deadliest attack on a Christian target since the war began.<ref name="npr">[http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=131001139 "Rapid-Fire Bomb Blasts Kill Scores Across Baghdad"]. NPR.org (''AP''). 2010-11-02. Retrieved on 2010-11-09.</ref> Despite a pre-war population of 5%, Christians made up 40% of Iraq's post-war refugees.<ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |author= |coauthors= |title=Assyrian Christians 'Most Vulnerable Population' in Iraq |url=http://www.christianpost.com/article/20061205/23863.htm |work= |publisher=''The Christian Post'' |id= |pages= |page= |date= |accessdate=2006-12-05 |quote= }}</ref><ref name="Assyrian Report on CWN">{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |author= |coauthors= |title=Iraq's Christian community, fights for its survival |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaNG6OF3pQE |work= |publisher=Christian World News |id= |pages= |page= |date= |accessdate= |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |author= |coauthors= |title=U.S. Gov't Watchdog Urges Protection for Iraq's Assyrian Christians |url=http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070314/26312_U.S._Gov't_Watchdog_Urges_Protection_for_Iraq's_Assyrian_Christians.htm |work= |publisher=''The Christian Post'' |id= |pages= |page= |date= |accessdate=2007-12-31 |quote= }}</ref> Additionally, a government had not been formed in the more than 6 months since the [[Iraqi parliamentary election, 2010|2010 election]], which has caused concern for stability in the political vacuum. Another reason for the perilous situation was seen as the American withdrawal following a [[Status of Forces Agreement]]. As a consequence, a "religious fervor" was being directed at Iraqis of different faiths, mostly by Sunni forces. The US [[war in Afghanistan]] was also seen as debilitating since the US would not be able to lend as much support.<ref name="rt">Bridge, Robert (2010-11-02). [http://rt.com/Politics/2010-11-01/catholic-church-iraq-hostages.html "Deadly Baghdad church siege overshadows US pullout"]. ''RT.com'', 2010-11-02. Retrieved on 2010-11-03.</ref> The church is named in honour of ''Our Lady of Deliverance'' or ''Our Lady of Salvation'' (''Sayidat al-Nejat'').<ref name="csm"/> It was also one of [[2004 Baghdad church attack|six churches attacked in August 2004]] (bombs exploded at five, including ''Our Lady of Deliverance'' -- at the sixth, the bomb was disarmed).<ref name="nyt"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sverigesradio.se/diverse/appdata/isidor/files/83/6810.pdf|title=''Church Bombings in Iraq Since 2004'' (June 2004 - July 2009)|publisher=Assyrian Int'l News Agency, pdf file|date=|accessdate=2010-11-17}}</ref> ==Attacks== Between six and fifteen gunmen<ref name="nyt2"/> began the attack by killing 2 armed guards in front of the [[Iraq Stock Exchange]] <ref>Hammoudi, Laith (2010-11-01). [http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/11/01/1901985/insurgents-in-iraq-seize-catholic.html "Insurgents in Iraq seize Catholic church in Baghdad"]. ''The Miami Herald''. Retrieved on 2010-11-03.</ref> with a loud explosion and bursts of gunfire. The attackers then moved across the street to the ''Our Lady of Salvation'' Syriac Catholic Church,{{#tag:ref|Several sources say it is a [[Chaldean Catholic]] church,<ref name="guardian"/> while others, including the [[Holy See]], indicate<ref name="va"/> it is [[Syriac Catholic]].<ref name="csm"/><ref>[http://articles.cnn.com/2010-10-31/world/iraq.violence_1_hostages-iraqi-security-forces-minister-abdul-qader-obeidi?_s=PM:WORLD "Iraqi forces storm church"] CNN.com article, Oct. 31, 2010</ref>|group="nb"}}{{#tag:ref|[[Syriac Catholic Church|Syriac Catholic]] is synonymous with [[Syrian Catholic Church|Syrian Catholic]] and with Syro-Catholic.<ref name="spero">[http://www.speroforum.com/site/article.asp?id=42913&t=Iraq%3A+++More+attacks+on+Christians+in+Baghdad+a+week+after+massacre "Iraq: More attacks on Christians in Baghdad a week after massacre"] speroforum.com (''Asia News''), 2010-11-08. Retrieved 2010-11-11.</ref>|group="nb"}} <ref name="guardian">Chulov, Martin (2010-11-01). [http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/nov/01/baghdad-church-dozens-dead "Baghdad church siege leaves 52 dead"]. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved on 2010-11-03.</ref> which is in the [[Karrada]] neighbourhood. At the church, they took its construction and cleaning crew hostage. They also took more than 100 worshippers hostage. One witness said that when attackers came into the church they closed the door and started to shoot at the lights, the fixtures, the [[crucifix]], the [[Madonna]] and over the Sunday service worshippers.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11666557 "Eyewitness: Baghdad church siege"]. BBC News. November 1, 2010: "...there would be an explosion or gunshots over our heads, over the lights, over the fixtures, over the Crucifix, over the Madonna, everywhere."</ref> An eyewitness said the attackers shouted at them saying "All of you are infidels. We are here to avenge the burning of the [[Qur'an]]s and the jailing of Muslim women in Egypt."<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/nov/01/baghdad-church-dozens-dead "Baghdad church siege leaves 52 dead"]. ''The Guardian''. November 1, 2010: "Mahrouq said a group of about 100 worshippers were herded to the centre of the church by the gunmen who repeatedly taunted them. Another 60 or so were ushered to a small room at the back of the church by a priest. "They were saying to us, 'you are infidels,'" Mahrouq said. "Things like: 'we're going to heaven, you're going to hell.'"</ref><ref>Chulov, Martin (2010-11-01). [http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/nov/01/baghdad-church-siege-survivors-speak?intcmp=239 "Baghdad church siege survivors speak"] ''The Guardian''. Retrieved on 2010-11-03.</ref> Two hours after the raid, police arrived on the scene and cordoned off streets in the neighbourhood, after which a standoff ensued. {{Campaignbox Iraq War bombings}} Abdullah Hermiz, the head of [[Christian Endowment]], a state organisation that oversees Iraq's churches, said a part of the building was under construction and so Sunday Mass was being held in a different part of the church as was usual. He also said the worshippers were "about to leave and heard the shooting outside and because of the scary situation, some ran outside the church while others remained inside". The US military suspected the attackers were al-Qaeda operatives because of their "tactics, techniques and procedures". An official from the church said "The men who carried out the attack were very organised – The way they entered...how well prepared and armed with machine guns, explosive belts, and everything they could need...How they quickly closed the doors and shut in the faithful. Then the security forces came."<ref name="csm"/> ===Rescue=== Lieutenant-Colonel Eric Bloom of the [[United States Army|US army]] said that of the 100 people in the church, 19 managed to escape before Iraqi Special Forces stormed the church at 21:00. He said the raid was a "robbery gone wrong. We've seen them resort to robbery to get financed. It has been very challenging for them to get outside financing, so they are resorting to small, petty crimes to try to finance themselves.<ref name="aljaz">[http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/11/201011134724982931.html "Al-Qaeda claims Iraq church attack"]. ''Al Jazeera''. 2010-11-02. Retrieved on 2010-11-08.</ref> During the rescue the lights went out, when Iraqi forces entered the building. They then shouted to parishioners: "We will save you."<ref name=baghoct10/> Iraq's defense minister said a decision was made to carry out a "land offensive, and in addition an airdrop, because it was impossible to wait."<ref name="rt"/> The rescue was backed by American aerial support.<ref>Aneja, Atul (2010-11-02). [http://www.hindu.com/2010/11/02/stories/2010110254542100.htm "Carnage inside Baghdad church"]. ''The Hindu''. Retrieved on 2010-11-04.</ref> Both Iraqi officials and the US military praised the rescue.<ref name="csm"/> During the 4-hour siege,<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/article863931.ece "Siege of Baghdad church ends"]. ''The Hindu'' (2010-06-01). Retrieved on 2010-11-03.</ref> at least 41 of the dead were hostages, including 2 priests, while the others included 12 policemen, 5 bystanders, and the gunmen.<ref name=baghoct10>{{cite news | url = http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101101/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iraq | title = Iraqi Christians mourn after church siege kills 58 | last = Surk | first = Barbara | last2 = Jakes | first2 = Lara |date = 1 November 2010 | agency = Associated Press | publisher = yahoo.com | accessdate = 9 November 2010}}</ref> Another 78 people were wounded.<ref name=baghoct10/> Three priests, Fathers Saad Abdallah Tha'ir, Waseem Tabeeh and Raphael Qatin, were at first reported killed,<ref>[http://www.undergroundfr.org/action_filrouge.php article at undergroundfr.org], 2010-11-03 (in French), Retrieved on 2010-11-04. "Trois prêtres (Saad Abdallah Tha'ir, Waseem Tabeeh et Raphael Qatin) et des dizaines de chrétiens ont été tués."</ref> but Father Qatin, although seriously wounded, is recovering in a Baghdad hospital.<ref>[http://www.aed-france.org/actualite/a-la-une/2010/11/05/erratum-le-pere-raphael-qatin-nest-pas-decede/ "erratum: le père Raphael Qatin n’est pas décédé"] ''aed-france.org'' 2010-11-05 (in French), Retrieved 2010-11-08.</ref><ref>[http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=131142862 "Iraqi Christians Hold Mass In Assaulted Church"] NPR.org, 2010-11-07. Retrieved 2010-11-08.</ref> ==Investigation== [[Qadir Obeidi|Abdul Qader al-Obeidi]], Iraq's defence minister, said one of the attackers' phone calls were "fully intercepted" and he believed they were not Iraqis because they spoke [[classical Arabic]] "perhaps in an attempt to conceal his identity". [[Al-Baghdadiya]] television said it received a phone call from one of the attackers and that he demanded the release of all al-Qaeda prisoners in Iraq and Egypt. They also alleged that female Muslims were being held against their will in [[Coptic]] monasteries in Egypt.<ref name="aljaz"/> al-Obeidi said other suspects had been arrested."<ref name="rt"/> Hussain Nahidh, a police officer reported that the suicide vests brought in by the attackers were filled with ball bearings, designed to kill as many people as possible. Many people went to the hospitals "without legs and hands."<ref name="nyt">Leland, John (2010-10-31). [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/01/world/middleeast/01iraq.html "Iraqi Forces Storm a Church With Hostages in a Day of Bloodshed"]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved on 2010-11-09.</ref> A security spokesman in Baghdad, Major General Qassim al-Moussawi, said the attackers were dressed like guards working for a private security firm and also had fake IDs. He said that an investigation was under way, and anyone held to be negligent or complicit would be "strictly accountable." One of the queries into the attack was "how such a large number of terrorists managed to reach the church in the heart of Baghdad." The commander of police in the district was also detained.<ref name="tehrantimes">{{cite web|url= http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=229739|title= Grand Ayatollah Sistani Condemns Attack on Baghdad Church |publisher=''[[Tehran Times]]'' |date=2010-11-03|accessdate=2010-11-07}}</ref> ==Responsibility== According to the [[SITE Institute]],<ref name="almanar">[http://www.almanar.com.lb/newssite/NewsDetails.aspx?id=160386&language=en "Hostages Killed in Al-Qaeda Attack on Baghdad Church"]. Al Manar (2010-11-01). Retrieved on 2010-11-03.</ref> Al-Qaida's the Islamic State of Iraq claimed responsibility for the attack.<ref name="aljaz"/> The group's claim of responsibility also called the church "the dirty den of idolatry", while giving the "church of Egypt, the head of infidels, 48 hours to make clear the condition of our sisters in Islam detained in the monasteries and announce their release in the media".<ref>[http://www.thestar.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=5712714 "52 die in attack on 'dirty den of idolatry'"]. ''The Star'' (2010-11-02). Retrieved on 2010-11-03.</ref> It also said "Let these idolaters, and at their forefront, the hallucinating tyrant of the Vatican, know that the killing sword will not be lifted from the necks of their followers until they declare their innocence from what the dog of the Egyptian Church is doing," in regards to calls for the Egyptian Coptic Church to release two wives of priests that were detained after they allegedly converted to Islam.<ref name="almanar2">{{cite news |url=http://www.almanar.com.lb/newssite/NewsDetails.aspx?id=160762&language=en |title=Al-Qaeda Threatens Christians, Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood: Protect Churches |quote="Al-Qaeda in Iraq ... [said] the killing sword will not be lifted [, demanding] that the Christians 'show to the mujahedeen their seriousness to pressure this belligerent church to release the captive women from the prisons of their monasteries.' The women, Camilia Shehata and Wafa Constantine, are the wives of Coptic priests whom al-Qaeda said were forcibly detained by the Coptic Church after they had willingly converted to Islam." |work=[[Al-Manar]] TV |date=2010-11-03 |accessdate=2010-11-09}}</ref> It added that the fuse of a campaign against [[Christianity in Iraq|Iraqi Christians]] had been lit.<ref>[http://atwar.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/01/premonitions-of-danger-at-baghdad-church-held-hostage/ "Premonitions of Danger at Baghdad Church Held Hostage"] ''The New York Times'', 2010-11-01. Retrieved 2010-11-09.</ref> SITE also said Al Qaeda's statement read "Let these idolaters, and at their forefront, the hallucinating tyrant of the Vatican, know that the killing sword will not be lifted from the necks of their followers until they declare their innocence from what the dog of the Egyptian Church is doing." The group said a deadline had apparently expired for Egypt's Coptic Church to free women "hostages", and that Christians were thus "legitimate targets. All Christian centers, organisations and institutions, leaders and followers, are legitimate targets for the [[mujahedeen]] wherever they can reach them." The Egyptian [[Muslim Brotherhood]] then called for churches to be protected.<ref name="almanar2"/> ==International reactions== * {{flag|Iraq}} - Prime Minister [[Nouri al-Maliki]] said the attack was an "attempt to reignite sectarian strife in Iraq and to drive more Christians out of the country."<ref name="tehrantimes"/> The [[Kurdistan Regional Government]] condemned the attack in a statement saying "We strongly condemn this terrorist attack on our Christian brethren in Baghdad. We send our condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery for the wounded."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.krg.org/articles/detail.asp?anr=37571&rnr=&areanr=60&smap=02010000&lngnr=12 | title=Kurdistan Region Presidency condemns terrorist attack on Baghdad church | accessdate=11-02-2010 | publisher=www.krg.org | date=11-02-2010 }}</ref> **Iraq's top Catholic [[prelate]], Cardinal [[Emmanuel III Delly]], encouraged an already dwindled Christian population of 1.5 million not to leave, while he also condemned the attack as "We have never seen anything like it, militants attacking God's house with worshippers."<ref name=baghoct10/> Monsignor Eyos Qasho, a church official said, "If the sons of this country cannot live in peace then the situation is clearly unacceptable. Had we been provided with adequate security, this would not have happened." Chaldean Bishop Shlimon Warduni said "This is tragic for Christians and for all of Iraq. If we had a government and laws and people all over the world to help us it would be much better." Father Douglas Yousef al-Bazy, who worked with the priests killed in the attack said that, while he was also stopped at a roadblock as he sought to get to the church after hearing explosions, the attack was "really terrible. The people who did this want to kill the church – the priests who served them and the people and even the building. We lost our best friends there. When someone dies we say there is a reason, but actually when they are killed – when they kill young people, young priests they are trying to kill our future. Those who say we are safe, that we can live peacefully in Iraq, they are liars. But we will stay in this country because still there are Christian people here and we still have a mission here."<ref name="csm">Arraf, Jane (2010-11-01). [http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2010/1101/After-Baghdad-church-attack-Christians-shocked-but-say-we-still-have-a-mission-here "After Baghdad church attack, Christians shocked but say 'we still have a mission here'"]. ''The Christian Science Monitor''. Retrieved on 2010-11-03.</ref> The church congregation held funerals for the dead two days later, while at the same a string of bombings in Baghdad killed over 100 in mostly Shia areas.<ref>[http://english.aljazeera.net/video/middleeast/2010/11/2010112235021470243.html "Iraqi Christians mourn victims"]. Al Jazeera English. Retrieved on 2010-11-04.</ref> **[[Najaf]]-based Grand [[Shiite]] Cleric [[Ayatollah]] [[Ali al-Sistani]] strongly condemned the attacks. He also further advised Iraqi security forces to take more responsibility for the protection of Iraqi citizens.<ref name="tehrantimes"/> During Friday prayers on the same week, all [[mosque]]s in [[Kirkuk]] condemned the "barbaric attack," while the mayor mayor and the [[sheikh]] of the Arab, Kurd and Turkmen tribes also expressed condolences and solidarity with the Chaldean archbishop. Sunni and Shia imams also condemned the attack in solidarity with Archbishop Louis Sako. They called for the preservation of "the Iraqi mosaic" of various ethnic groups and religions, one imam also called for Muslims to protect Christians "and launched an appeal for all the Iraqis do not succumb to fear and do not leave their country."<ref name="spero"/> **The network that broadcast the attackers' message, ''Al-Baghdadia'', was taken off the air after a government raid following the attack.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11668634 "Iraq TV station taken off air . . ."] BBC.co.uk, 2010-11-01. Retrieved 2010-11-07.</ref> * {{flag|France}} A day after the attack France said it would accept 150 Iraqis, with priority given to the wounded in the attack. A diplomat said the wounded would be evacuated on an hospital plane and taken to various hospitals in France.<ref>[http://www.almanar.com.lb/newssite/NewsDetails.aspx?id=161248&language=en "France to Treat Iraqis Wounded in Church Siege"] ''Al-Manar TV'', 2010-11-06. Retrieved 2010-11-07.</ref> * {{flag|Iran}} - Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast offered condolences to the Iraqi people and government and said: "The incident was a measure for return of terrorism and violence to Iraq and affecting the political process of government formation."<ref>[http://www.isna.ir/ISNA/NewsView.aspx?ID=News-1647155&Lang=E "Iran condemns deadly hostage taking in Baghdad church"]. Iranian Students News Agency (2010-11-03). Retrieved on 2010-11-03.</ref> A few days later a meeting of the [[Majlis]] also generally criticised "some regional and foreign" players for destabilising Iraq.<ref>[http://www.presstv.ir/detail/149481.html "Iran raps West for Iraq's insecurity"]. Press TV (2010-11-03). Retrieved on 2010-11-04.</ref> * {{flag|Holy See}} - [[Pope Benedict XVI]] condemned the "senseless violence, made more ferocious because it was directed against unarmed people gathered in the house of God, which is a house of love and reconciliation" and he called for renewed international efforts at brokering peace in the region.<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6A01PK20101101 "Pope condemns "ferocious" attack on Baghdad church"]. Reuters.com, 2010-11-01. Retrieved on 2010-11-08.</ref> He also sent a telegram of condolence to Archbishop Athanase Matti Shaba Matoka of the Syro-Catholics: "Deeply shocked by the violent death of so many faithful and of Fathers Tha'ir Saad and Boutros Wasim, I desire, on this occasion of the Sacred Rite of the funerals, to be spiritually present...For many years, this beloved country has suffered unspeakable hardship and Christians have also become an object of heinous attacks with total lack of respect for life, the inviolable gift of God, desiring to undermine trust and civil coexistence. I renew my Appeal so that the sacrifice of these brothers and sisters of ours may be a seed of peace and true rebirth, and because many have reconciliation at heart, brotherly and supportive coexistence."<ref name="va">[http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/letters/2010/documents/hf_ben-xvi_let_20101102_attentato-baghdad_en.html "Message for the Funeral Mass of the Victims of the Terrorist Attack on the Syro-Catholic Cathedral in Baghdad"] ''www.vatican.va'', 2010-11-03. Retrieved 2010-11-10.</ref> * {{flag|Russia}} - Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: "Moscow presents profound condolences over the death of innocent civilians and Iraqi policemen. We strongly condemn the crime of terrorists and the attacks on freedom and life of believers of any religion."<ref>[http://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=news&div=7865 "Moscow denounces attack on Catholic church in Baghdad"]. Interfax. (2010-11-01). Retrieved on 2010-11-03.</ref> * {{flag|UK}} - [[Archbishop]] Athanasios Dawood, the leader of the Syriac Orthodox church in the United Kingdom, said all Christians should leave Iraq in the wake of the attack, "I say clearly and now -- the Christian people should leave their (''[[sic]]'') beloved land of our ancestors and escape the premeditated ethnic cleansing. This is better than having them killed one by one."<ref name=franceevac>{{cite news | url = http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/11/09/france.iraq.christians/?hpt=T2. | title = France welcomes survivors of Baghdad church attack | last = | first = |date = 9 November 2010 | agency = [[CNN]] | publisher = | accessdate = 10 November 2010}}</ref> <ref>[http://english.aljazeera.net/video/europe/2010/11/2010117192021317580.html "Fears over fate of Iraqi Christians"] ''Al Jazeera'' video, 2010-11-07. Retrieved 2010-11-11.</ref> * {{flag|United States}} - White House press secretary [[Robert Gibbs]] said: "The United States strongly condemns this senseless act of hostage taking and violence by terrorists linked to al Qaeda in Iraq that occurred Sunday in Baghdad killing so many innocent Iraqis."<ref>Bohan, Caren (2010-11-01). [http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6A05JN20101101 "U.S. condemns al Qaeda-linked church attack in Iraq"] Reuters. Retrieved on 2010-11-03.</ref> U.S. Representatives [[Anna G. Eshoo]] and [[Frank Wolf]], co-chairs of the Religious Minorities in the Middle East Caucus, and seven other representatives, sent a letter<ref>[http://eshoo.house.gov/images/stories/Releases/2010-11-5_Iraqi_Christians.pdf ''Call on the Administration to Develop Comprehensive Policy to Protect Indigenous Religious Communities in Iraq''] letter from Representatives to Sec'y of State, 2010-11-05.</ref> to Secretary of State [[Hillary Clinton]], calling for the Obama Administration to develop a comprehensive policy for the protection of indigenous religious communities in Iraq. They also offered condolences to the victims and their families.<ref>[http://eshoo.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=899:members-of-congress-express-condolences-for-victims-of-church-hostage-crisis-in-baghdad&catid=35:2010-press-releases&Itemid=100013 "Members of Congress Express Condolences for Victims of Church Hostage Crisis in Baghdad"] press release from Rep. Anna G. Eshoo, 2010-11-05. Retrieved 2010-11-09.</ref> ** Martin Manna, the executive director of the Michigan-based Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce, responded to the attack saying: "Our community's just so frustrated more than anything else. Security is just terrible. The Iraqi government...can't protect their people."<ref>Angel, Cecil (2010-11-02). [http://www.freep.com/article/20101102/NEWS05/11020393/Metro-Chaldeans-outraged#ixzz148brHux0 "Metro Chaldeans outraged"]. ''Detroit Free Press''. freep.com. Retrieved on 2010-11-03.</ref> ==Notes== <references group="nb" /> {{Portalbox|Iraq|Terrorism|Catholicism}} {{-}} ==References== {{reflist|2}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Baghdad}} [[Category:2010 in Iraq]] [[Category:Bombings in the Iraqi insurgency]] [[Category:Terrorist incidents in Iraq in 2010]] [[Category:Christianity in Iraq]] [[Category:Islamic terrorism]] [[Category:Religiously motivated violence in Iraq]] [[de:Anschlag auf die Sayidat-al-Nejat-Kathedrale in Bagdad 2010]] [[es:Atentado contra la iglesia cristiana de Bagdad en 2010]] [[pl:Zamach w Bagdadzie (31 października 2010)]] [[ru:Захват церкви в Багдаде (2010)]]'