December |
Date |
Dead |
Injured |
Location and description |
December 1 |
3 |
2 |
Farah Province The Taliban attacked the staff of the Ministry of Rural Development in Farah Province. Three were killed, two wounded, and one was taken hostage. The date of the attack was not mentioned, however, Mohammad Hanif Atmar, Afghan Rural Development Minister released his statement regarding the attack on December 1. The tactic and weapon were unknown[1] |
December 2 |
1 |
1 |
Farah Province Chalermpong Muakchumbot, a Buddhist school teacher, was gunned down by motorcycle gunmen, who followed him as he was driving home from school. A passenger in the car, Charal Kanchanarangsri, was also injured in the shooting. The attack took place in the Saiburi district of Pattani province. Police believe that the killings were part of targeted attacks by Muslim militants in Southern Thailand.[1] |
December 2 |
3 |
20 |
Baghdad A mortar attack was launched against the Abi-Nuwwas theater in Baghdad. This was one of several attacks in Baghdad on this day. A total of three people were killed and dozens wounded.[1] |
December 3 |
0 |
6 |
Madrid A small, low-potency explosive device, detonated at a petrol station along the N-5 highway (which leads to Lisbon) in Madrid. This was one of five explosive attacks on petrol stations throughout Madrid on this evening. An anonymous caller representing the Basque Fatherland and Freedom (ETA) warned of the devices prior to their detonation. Six people were slightly injured in the attacks, though it is impossible to disaggregate the numbers for each individual attack. The attacks came as residents were traveling away from the city for a holiday weekend.[1] |
December 3 |
0 |
10 |
Mosul Unknown individual shelled the Ninawa Governorate building in Mosul with three mortar shells. The shells fell on a residential community near the building, wounding at least ten people.[1] |
December 4 |
9 |
38 |
Baghdad A suicide bomber drove a minibus filled with explosives into a police station near the Green Zone, killing eight officers and wounding thirty-eight. Police officers were gathering in front for roll call at the time of the attack. The blast caused the roof of the station to collapse.[1] |
December 4 |
15 |
25 |
Mosul Fifteen Kurdish security personnel were killed and twenty-five wounded when a bomb detonated outside of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan headquarters in Mosul. The security personnel were in a bus in front of the headquarters when the bomb detonated.[1] |
December 6 |
0 |
1 |
Rangae District A bomb went off in Rangae district, Narathiwat province. The bomb detonated at a gathering point of defense volunteers near Tanyongmas market. The senior chief of Rangae district, Preecha Nuannoi, was injured.[1] |
December 6 |
0 |
1 |
Ciudad Real One police officer was injured in an explosive attack in Ciudad Real. An explosive device detonated in the kitchen of the El Peral café in the city, after an anonymous caller representing the Basque Fatherland and Freedom (ETA) called in a warning of the attack. This was one of seven bomb attacks that took place all over Spain on this day, a holiday to celebrate Spain's independence. All seven of the bombs are being blamed on ETA. These attacks also come only three days after a series of five explosive devices detonated at five gas stations in Madrid. Those attacks are being blamed on ETA as well.[1] |
December 6 |
0 |
2 |
Santillana del Mar An explosive device detonated in the Robleda Park in Santillana del Mar, injuring two people; a woman and a child. This was one of seven bomb attacks that took place all over Spain on this day, a holiday to celebrate Spain's independence. All seven of the bombs are being blamed on the Basque Fatherland and Freedom (ETA). These attacks also come only three days after a series of five explosive devices detonated at five gas stations in Madrid. Those attacks are being blamed on ETA as well.[1] |
December 6 |
1 |
2 |
Balabolok District, Farah A suspected Al Qaeda armed attack was carried out on police in a village in Balabolok District, Farah. One policeman was killed and two were injured. One suspect was arrested and two escaped. Two Corolla station wagons were seized by the police.[1] |
December 6 |
9 |
15 |
Jeddah Five Saudi militants attacked the US consulate in the Saudi port city of Jeddah. Saudi forces killed three of the militants and wounded the other two (one subsequently died of his wounds). The militants threw explosives at the gates of the walled consulate and then entered through the entrance used to deliver mail to the consulate, firing at the guards as they went. They had tried to enter in their car but were blocked by an automatic gate. About eighteen third-country nationals were taken hostage inside the consulate for some time, but were later released. Some reports indicated the hostages were used as human shields when the Saudi guards engaged the militants. American Marines and Saudi guards eventually repelled the militants. Five non-American employees were killed in the attack along with some Saudi security personnel. The victims were of several nationalities: one Yemeni, one Sudanese, one Filipino, a Pakistani, and a Sri Lankan. Several Saudi security personnel were also injured in the attack, along with more embassy personnel (two Yemenis, two Pakistanis, a Lebanese, a Filipino, an Indian, and Sri Lankan). Saudi sources said that several Saudi civilians were also hit by gunfire. Two Americans sustained slight injuries. Consulate workers reported that the militants entered one of the consulate buildings and began screaming: "Where are the Americans?" However, no Americans worked in that building. The attackers failed to reach the main building where Americans work. A Saudi group linked to Al-Qaeda, calling itself Qaeda al Jihad in the Arabian Peninsula, claimed responsibility for the attack on several Islamic websites. The group said that the attack had been organized by al-Qaeda. However, during the attack the hostage takers called Saudi officials and identified themselves as the Fallujah Brigades (this discrepancy is not yet addressed). The attack occurs exactly one year after the Interior Ministry took the step of listing twenty-six wanted terrorists linked to al-Qaeda. None of the attackers were on this list of most wanted terrorists. Several of the militants were later identified as Fayiz Bin Awwad al-Jihinni, Id Bin Dakhilallah al-Jihinni, and Hasan bin-Hamid al-Hazimi.[1] |
December 7 |
0 |
3 |
Mosul Militants bombed two churches in Mosul, wounding a total of three people in the attacks. The first attack occurred at the church of the Chaldean bishopric in Mosul. Three people were wounded in this attack. The attackers ordered the guards out of the church before detonating the explosives. Severe damage was done to the church.[1] |
December 8 |
1 |
5 |
A bomb exploded near two Iraqi police vehicles, as the vehicles passed by. The explosion killed one policeman and wounded five others. Only one of the cars was severely damaged.[1] |
December 9 |
0 |
22 |
Mozdok-Gazimagomed An explosion destroyed a section of the Mozdok-Gazimagomed gas pipeline, injuring twenty-two people. The fire resulting from an explosion of unknown origin began at about 10:00 pm Moscow time at the 614th kilometer of the pipeline just outside Makhachkala. The explosion put about 148,000 people out of natural gas. Most of the twenty-two injured were mildly to severely burned. Preliminary analysis pointed to the possibility of an artillery shell aimed at the pipeline.[1] |
December 11 |
2 |
19 |
Colombo A bomb detonated by an unknown person resulted in two deaths, including one journalist, and nineteen reported injuries. The attack was at an open air stadium staging a concert of the Indian artist Shahrukh Khan in Colombo. The concert was being protested by Buddhist monks for being held on the anniversary of the death of a monk one year before (Gangodawila Soma). The artist observed a minute of silence in honor of the monk and proceeded. Many government dignitaries, including, the High Commissioner of India Nirupama Rao, Minister of Transport Felix Perera, Minister for Medium & Small Plantation Industries & Rural Human Resource Development C.B. Ratnayake, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Industries, and Investment Promotion Arjuna Ranatunga, and the Secretary of the Ministry C. Ramanujan, Thilanga Sumathipala, were all in attendance.[1] |
December 13 |
15 |
58 |
General Santos City A bomb exploded in a public market in General Santos City, killing sixteen people and wounding at least fifty-seven others. A week prior to the event, an anonymous source claimed that a group associated with Al-Ghozi (a member of Jemaah Islamiyah) threatened to burn the market in retaliation for the death of one of its members. However, Philippine police initially downplayed the bombing as the result of a feud between Christian and Muslim groups. Soon after the bombing, military intelligence sources concluded that Jemaah Islamiyah was responsible for the bombing and was working with Abu Sayyaf to bomb other targets on Mindanao Island. Police have arrested five suspects in the bombing, including Omar Hassan, an ASG rebel. Another four rebels were arrested in June 2005, including Uztadz Norodin Mangelen, the leader of the group thought responsible for this attack and another in March 2003 against the Davao airport. Mangelen told authorities that he is a local liaison for the JI.[1] |
December 14 |
0 |
3 |
Bogotá Three people were injured when a small bomb exploded in the back seat of a bus in the Transmilenio rapid transit system in Bogotá. Authorities believe the attack was carried out by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). This is the third such attack in forty-five days.[1] |
December 14 |
13 |
15 |
Baghdad A suicide bomber exploded his vehicle while in line at a checkpoint at the Western Gate of the Green Zone in Baghdad. Thirteen people were killed and fifteen wounded in the attack. Most of those killed were people waiting to enter the compound. No Americans were killed in the attack. The attack occurs exactly one year after the capture of Saddam Hussein. The group linked to Abu Musab al-Zarquawi, al-Qaeda in Iraq or Tanzim Qa'idat Al-Jihad fi Bilad al-Rafidayn claimed responsibility for the attack.[1] |
December 14 |
2 |
8 |
Assam Two explosions occurred near the Assam Assembly building. The attacks were carried out by the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA). Two persons were killed and eight injured. Authorities believe that the group carried out these attacks to mark the completion of a year of the Bhutan operations that have "evicted the ULFA from the Himalayan kingdom."[1] |
December 14 |
7 |
13 |
Baghdad A suicide bomber blew up his vehicle at the western checkpoint into Baghdad's Green Zone. The blast occurred at the same place as a suicide bomb attack had occurred the day before. There were no US casualties in the attack.[1] |
December 14 |
20 |
40 |
Basra-Baghdad Ten cars carrying eighty-five Iraqi police recruits were attacked while traveling between Basra and Baghdad. Twenty-four recruits were killed or wounded and thirteen others were missing. Nine vehicles were destroyed. In addition, four policemen were killed and twenty were wounded (not recruits). Note: Injury and fatality numbers are estimates.[1] |
December 15 |
12 |
40 |
Karbala An explosive charge went off outside one of the entrances to the Imam Al-Husayn Shiite shrine in the city of Karbala. Twelve people were killed and about forty injured. The bomb exploded when a group of people were walking into evening prayers, following an aide to cleric Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. The aide, Sheik Abdul Mahdee al-Karbalayee, was wounded in the attack and is believed by some to be the primary target of the attack. He later died of his wounds. Local leaders also believe the attack was intended to fuel tension between Shiites and Sunnis in the lead up to the Iraqi election. The shrine is one of the holiest sites for Shiites and attracts pilgrims every month.[1] |
December 15 |
0 |
12 |
Assam Four explosions in insurgent Assam province injured twelve civilians and police officers.[1] |
December 16 |
1 |
8 |
The deputy head of the Iraqi Communication Ministry, Qassim Mehawi, was shot when gunmen attacked his car while he was on his way to work. Eight of his bodyguards were injured in the attack.[1] |
December 17 |
1 |
11 |
Assam The United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) carried out a grenade attack on a hotel in the Paltan Bazaar in Guwahati. There were eleven seriously injured and one person was killed. This is following several days of heightened violence and attacks by ULFA.[1] |
December 19 |
14 |
50 |
Karbala A car bomb exploded near a bus stop in Karbala, killing fourteen and wounding at least fifty. The attack also occurred near the twin shrines of Hussein and Abbas. Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani also lives near the site of the blast. It was unclear if he was a target or not. The attack occurs on the same day as a bombing in Najaf. At least fifty people were detained in connection with the Najaf bombing and could have connections to Karbala as well.[1] |
December 19 |
50 |
91 |
Najaf A car bomb exploded in the middle of a funeral procession in Najaf. The bomb was detonated only 300 yards from the Imam Ali Shrine, an important Shiite shrine. Nearby were crowds of people waiting for buses. At least fifty people were killed and ninety-one wounded in this attack. The explosion ruptured water pipes and caused damage to nearby shops. The blast occurred only one day after a bomb attack in Karbala. The attacks may be linked to the upcoming elections. On December 20, sources reported that at least fifty people had been detained in connection with the attack. On December 25, the governor of Najaf announced that the perpetrators of the attack had been arrested.[1] |
December 21 |
0 |
1 |
Yangoon The Vigorous Burmese Student Warriors claimed responsibility for a bomb that exploded outside a restaurant popular with foreign tourists in Myanmar's capital. The group demanded the immediate release of all political prisoners. The bombing injured one worker.[1] |
December 22 |
1 |
0 |
Hebron, West Bank An Israeli man was shot by a Palestinian gunman West of Hebron. He was shot at a location where Israel is currently building a wall to separate the West Bank from Israel. The terrorists escaped. Tel Aviv Ynet reported that it received an anonymous call claiming responsibility from the National Resistance Brigades, the military wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine.[1] |
December 22 |
2 |
0 |
Pattani Province Two teachers were shot dead in Pattani Province. This incident and others in the region in recent days, forced all schools in Pattani to close for the day.[1] |
December 23 |
9 |
13 |
Latifiyah A suicide bomber detonated his vehicle during rush hour at a checkpoint in the Al-Latifiyah area. The explosion destroyed five cars, killed five people, and wounded thirteen others. Most of those killed were police and National Guard Members.[1] |
December 24 |
9 |
19 |
Baghdad A fuel tanker exploded in the al-Mansur district of Baghdad, near the Libyan and Jordanian embassies. Several other embassies and government buildings, including the homes of Sunni dignitary Adnan Pachachi and Shiite party leader Ahmed Chalabi, are also located in the area. The fuel tanker was tied with explosives and driven by a suicide bomber. The explosion damaged nearby buildings and killed at least nine people, including guards at the Libyan embassy. At least nineteen people were injured in the attack.[1] |
December 25 |
2 |
7 |
Bannu, NWFP The Haroon Spices Shop in Bannu (Frontier Province) was attacked when a bomb went off. Other shops in the Mandan Gate Bazaar were also damaged. The shop owner, Haroon, died and eight were taken to the hospital. One died on the way. Haroon was the nephew of Abdul Razzaq Mujaddadi, Member Provincial Assembly.[1] |
December 28 |
41 |
18 |
Tikrit At least twenty-nine people were killed and eighteen wounded, a large number of them Iraqi police, when a powerful bomb exploded in a house that police were raiding. After receiving an anonymous call about a militant hideout, police were on their way to raid this hideout in the Ghazaliya neighborhood. When they were about to enter the house a large explosion occurred. Officials believe the attack was a setup/booby-trap arranged by insurgents. As many as eight surrounding houses were destroyed during the attack. Gunmen attacked a police station in Tikrit, killing twelve police officers. No further information is available.[1] |
December 29 |
1 |
10 |
Samarra A suicide bomber detonated his bomb in the center of Samarra. Ten people were wounded in the attack. The target of the blast was not stated in the report.[1] |
December 29 |
3 |
10 |
Riyadh A bomb exploded at a center for recruiting emergency troops in Riyadh. The bomb was detonated by a suicide bomber who tried to drive his bomb into the recruiting center. Two security personnel and two bystanders were injured in the attack. This was the second of two bombings, 30 minutes apart on this same night within 5 miles of each other. The attacks come shortly after Saudi security forces were involved in a shootout during a raid of an area where a terror suspect had been killed the night before. Saudi forces carried out raids following the attacks, killing seven militants that they believe were involved. Those involved were members of several radical groups. On January 4, sources reported that a group affiliated with Al-Qaeda, al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, claimed responsibility for the blasts, claiming that the targets were the Interior Minister, Nayef bin Abdel Aziz al Saud, and his son.[1] |