Region | Iraq
Iraqi forces keep an eye on women in black robes
After the Mukhaim bombing in the Shiite city of Karbala claimed the lives of fifty civilians, women who wear traditional black robes have become synonymous with wearing explosive belts.
- By Basil Adas, Correspondent
- Published: 00:44 April 4, 2008
- Image Credit: Reuters
- A woman walks past an Iraqi soldier standing guard as a US armoured vehicle sets concrete barriers in Baghdad's Shula district. Women wearing black robes have become the target of security inspections at checkpoints.
Karbala: After the Mukhaim bombing in the Shiite city of Karbala claimed the lives of fifty civilians, women who wear traditional black robes have become synonymous with wearing explosive belts.
Rahim To'ma, an officer in the Iraqi police, said to Gulf News: "We are facing a considerable problem because evidence has confirmed that the recent Mukhaim bombing close to the Imam Hussain shrine was carried out by a woman carrying an explosive belt.
"The command leadership in Karbala issued instructions to monitor women in black robes."
In most strict and traditional Shiite southern provinces, women of all ages wear the black cloak. The cloak, known as the "Abaya" is considered a folklore garment and its loose shape can conceal explosive belts underneath.
Umm Ali Al Fariji said, "Women wearing black robes have become the target for security inspections by policewomen. I say God help the security forces because all women in Karbala wear this cloak, in fact I became scared for my life when I would go shopping.
"There would be hundreds of women wearing the cloak and I would never know if one of them wears the explosive belt."
A security report issued by the Iraqi Interior Ministry said Al Qaida's new tactic of forcing women to wear the black cloak when implementing suicide attacks will increase the pressure on Iraqi security forces.
Checkpoints
Humam Al Eqili, a soldier in the Iraqi army, said "We have received orders to stop any woman wearing a black cloak from approaching any checkpoint and to deal with her from a distance.
"I think women wearing the Abaya are the subject of suspicion these days." The main security problem that emerged after the Mukhaim bombing in Karbala is that hundreds and perhaps thousands of women who visit the Imam Hussain shrine daily wear black robes and inspections are carried out at overcrowded checkpoints, therefore any suicide bombing would cause a great human loss.
Abdul Aziz Al Tayar, an officer in the National Security Ministry, said to Gulf News: "I believe the solution lies in efficient intelligence work besides using sensor devices to detect explosives, in this case we could deal firmly with any woman wearing an explosive belt.
"I think the problem lies in whether a woman comes from Karbala itself because her movement will not be subject to inspections. Despite that there are many checkpoints inside the city; strict inspections are often at important sites such as the Imam Hussain shrine, official buildings, control points at city entrances and public markets. I assure you that intelligence information is the best solution to abort any terrorist attack implemented by a woman in a black robe."
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