VZCZCXRO6956
OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHMOS
DE RUEHKUK #0020 0310637
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
O 310637Z JAN 06
FM REO KIRKUK
TO RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD IMMEDIATE 0462
INFO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0498
RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE
RUEHKUK/REO KIRKUK 0524

S E C R E T KIRKUK 000020 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
BAGHDAD FOR POL, POLMIL, RSO, NCT, PAO 
STATE FOR NEA/I, DRL, DS/ITA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL:  1/31/2016 
TAGS: PTER PINS PHUM KIRF PGOV ASEC IZ
SUBJECT: (U) KIRKUK CHURCHES BOMBED 
 
REF: 2-327 (101 AIRBORNE DIVISION) INTEL REPORT OF 30 JANUARY 2006 (NOTAL) 
 
CLASSIFIED BY: Richard K. Bell, Regional Coordinator, Exec, 
Department of State. 
REASON: 1.4 (d) 
 
(C) 2 CAR BOMBS 10 MINUTES APART TARGET CHRISTIAN CHURCHES 
--------------------------------------------- ------------- 
¶1.  (S) According to Coalition military and local Iraqi security 
service information, on January 29 two vehicle-borne improvised 
explosive devices (VBIEDs) detonated near two churches in 
northern Kirkuk city.  The first VBIED detonated at 1435 hours 
near the Mar-Afram church in the Quriyah neighborhood of Kirkuk 
and wounded six.  The second was remotely detonated 10 minutes 
later near the Maryam Athera Church in the Shatrlo neighborhood 
of Kirkuk, killing one and mortally wounding two others. 
 
(U) COMMENT 
----------- 
¶2.  (C) Although this is the first time we know of that 
Christian churches have been bombed in Kirkuk, the Christian 
community here has been targeted before.  Local churches 
received threat letters just before Christmas 2003 and 
kidnappers have heavily targeted Christians, who are seen as 
wealthy and lacking protection. 
 
BELL