Insurgents kill 11 Iraqi security forces
(AP)
Updated: 2005-11-04 21:41

Shiites did the same thing Friday.

In Sadr City, a large Shiite area of Baghdad, crowds of children lined up for rides at small local amusement parks. But security by police and local militias remained tight, given all the insurgent attacks that occur in the capital, including suicide car bombs, drive-by shootings and roadside bombs.

"We cannot fully enjoy Eid because of all the explosions we hear," said Karar al-Aboudi, 25, the owner of a stall near one park. "We have no reason to celebrate under occupation and terrorism. We pray to God that in the next Eid, our country will be stable and free."

In a speech marking Eid in another part of Baghdad, a top Shiite leader urged voters to support his coalition in Iraq's Dec. 15 parliamentary election.

Abdel-Aziz al-Hakim, head of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution of Iraq, told a crowd gathered at his party headquarters that the aim of his candidates is "to protect all Iraqis, not only Shiites but also minority Sunnis and Kurds."

Two major religious parties — SCIRI and Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari's Dawa Party — form Iraq's top Shiite alliance. Both parties have been criticized for their close ties to Iran.

When Iraq elected its current interim parliament on Jan. 30, many Sunnis boycotted the vote, and the Shiite alliance won the biggest share of seats. But many Sunnis are expected to vote in the December balloting for a new parliament, one that will remain in power for four years.