Canal Hotel bombing

UNOfficeofHumanitarianCoordinator-Baghdad (UN DF-SD-04-02188)

== Canal Hotel bombing ==

The Canal Hotel bombing was a terrorist attack on the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq, on August 19, 2003. The bombing resulted in the deaths of 22 people, including the UN's top envoy in Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello, and injured over 100 others. This attack marked a significant escalation in the violence in Iraq following the 2003 invasion of Iraq by the United States and its allies.

Background

The Canal Hotel served as the headquarters for the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI). The UN had been operating in Iraq since the end of the Gulf War in 1991, providing humanitarian aid and supporting the reconstruction of the country. Following the 2003 invasion, the UN's role in Iraq became even more critical, as it was tasked with coordinating international efforts to rebuild the nation and support the establishment of a new government.

The Attack

On August 19, 2003, a truck loaded with explosives was driven into the Canal Hotel compound and detonated. The explosion caused massive destruction, collapsing parts of the building and trapping many people under the rubble. The attack was later attributed to the terrorist group al-Qaeda in Iraq, led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.

Casualties

The bombing resulted in the deaths of 22 people, including:

• Sergio Vieira de Mello, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Iraq
• Gil Loescher, a prominent academic and expert on refugee issues, who was severely injured

Over 100 others were injured in the attack, including UN staff, security personnel, and Iraqi civilians.

Aftermath

The Canal Hotel bombing had a profound impact on the UN's operations in Iraq. In the immediate aftermath, the UN significantly reduced its presence in the country, withdrawing most of its international staff. The attack also highlighted the growing security challenges in Iraq and the increasing threat posed by insurgent groups.

In response to the bombing, the UN established the Independent Panel on the Safety and Security of UN Personnel in Iraq, led by former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari. The panel's report led to significant changes in the UN's security policies and procedures.

Legacy

The Canal Hotel bombing is remembered as one of the deadliest attacks on the United Nations in its history. It underscored the dangers faced by international organizations operating in conflict zones and highlighted the need for improved security measures to protect humanitarian workers.

Related Pages

• United Nations
• 2003 invasion of Iraq
• al-Qaeda in Iraq
• Sergio Vieira de Mello
• Abu Musab al-Zarqawi
• United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq
• Gulf War

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