This is a new low... Iraq insurgents strapped explosives to two mentally retarded women, and detonated the bombs by remote control, killing at least 73 people. The attacks, on a pair of Baghdad pet bazaars, turned Friday into the "deadliest day" in the Iraqi capital since the Surge began, according to the AP. But, to my eyes, it also shows just how desperate the insurgents are becoming.
Traditionally, suicide bombers have been vetted for mental stability (strange as that may sound) -- and hailed as heroes who willing gave their lives in service of jihad. But these two "may not have been willing attackers," the AP notes. One was "known to locals as 'the crazy lady.'" Assuming these reports are accurate (one Press Association story says the women had Down's Syndrome, while the *Times *makes no mention of the women's mental status), these weren't martyrs. They were human bombs.
The insurgents managed to kill a few dozen. I'd be shocked if American information operators didn't turn these attacks into a major defeat for the bombers.
(Photo: Getty/NYT)
