Assassination attempt on top cleric claims three in Najaf

By: Ismail Zabeeh

HOLY CITY OF NAJAF, Iraq: An assassination attempt on the Grand Ayatullah Seyyed Muhammad Saeed Al-Hakim in the holy city of Najaf on Sunday left at least three people dead and nearly a dozen injured.

According to details a bomb exploded near the office of the Ayatullah as he returned there from Zohrain (midday) prayers. The Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI) said the top cleric was slightly wounded in the blast. Two of his bodyguards and a driver were killed.

The explosion was caused by a device connected to a gas canister placed next to a wall outside the grand Ayatullah's office in the holy city of Najaf which houses the holy shrine of Al-Imam Ali ibn-e-Abi Talib (AS).

Iraqis say the fresh violence comes as the US-led coalition quietly recruits former Iraqi spies to work with American intelligence officials in the country.

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