Rouhani Calls for a 'Stronger Response' from the Iraqi Government to Recent Attack Perpetrators

Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, has called for a 'stronger response' from the Iraqi government against the 'dark-hearted perpetrators' of the recent attack in the city of Hilla, Iraq, which reportedly claimed at least 70 Iranian victims. In the suicide attack on December 4 by the Islamic State (ISIS) at a gas station in Hilla, on the return route of pilgrims from the Arbaeen ceremony, dozens were killed. Many of the casualties were Iranian, Afghan, and Pakistani. Due to the dismemberment and burning of many victims' bodies, the exact casualty figures are still unclear, but the Iranian consul in Karbala has stated that 71 bags containing 59 nearly complete burned bodies and 14 dismembered bodies will be sent to Iran for identification. Masoud Hosseinian also told IRNA that 'we must wait until the identity of the victims is determined through DNA testing.' The Iranian consul explained that 'currently there are no identifiable bodies of Iranian citizens,' but '28 Iranian identification documents, including bank cards, passports, identity cards, and national cards, were found at the scene.' In a condolence message from Hassan Rouhani published on Friday, December 5, in addition to a 'strong request' from the Iraqi government for a 'stronger response to the dark-hearted perpetrators of such inhumane acts,' the readiness of the Islamic Republic to 'cooperate and assist in addressing the victims and injured of this tragic incident' was announced. Parts of Iraqi territory, including the city of Mosul, the second-largest city in the country, remain under the occupation of the Islamic State (ISIS), although many areas previously controlled by this group have recently come back under the control of the Iraqi government. According to official statistics, more than two million Iranian citizens have traveled to Iraq this year to participate in the Arbaeen ceremony.