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Sunnis party attacked after backing constitution Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/KAR441698.htm http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/KAR441698.htm Iraq Sunni party attacked after backing constitution 14 Oct 2005 13:25:02 GMT Source: Reuters BAGHDAD, Oct 14 (Reuters) - Militants mounted a series of attacks on the offices of one of Iraq's main Sunni Arab political parties after it called on Iraqis to vote "Yes" in Saturday's referendum on a new constitution. Attacks started on Wednesday night when gunmen fired at an empty office of the Iraqi Islamic Party in the western city of Falluja, a hotbed for Sunni insurgents, and left leaflets calling its members "apostates". On Friday a group of gunmen returned to the office and set it on fire, officials said. "About an hour ago, some gunmen attacked the Islamic party office and burned it totally," said Sabah al-Alwani, deputy chairman of Falluja's local council, adding that firefighters were trying to extinguish the blaze. In Baghdad, a road side bomb exploded next to an empty Iraqi Islamic Party office on Friday, while in the town of Baiji, north of Baghdad, gunmen also attacked the party's office, destroying it completely, police sources said. No casualties were reported in any of the attacks. Most Sunni political groups opposed the constitution and called on Iraqis to either boycott the charter or vote "No", arguing that the charter could divide Iraq and hand too much power to Shi'ites and Kurds. The Islamic Party also opposed the constitution at first, but urged Iraqis to vote "Yes" after reaching a deal this week with Kurdish and Shi'ite leaders that some articles in the charter could be amended later. Dubai-based al Arabiya television reported that the Baghdad attack had been claimed by a group calling itself The Army of the Victorious Sect in retribution for the Islamic Party's backing of the constitution. The party's general secretary Tariq al-Hashimi told the television station he was not surprised by the attacks. "The Islamic Party still has some reservations on the constitution," al-Hashimi said. "The Islamic Party has not given its blessing to the constitution as it is now ... but it has given its agreement for the whole constitution to be re- examined."

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