Dental College Dean killed in Baghdad

Azzaman, January 24, 2008

Unidentified gunmen have killed the dean of Baghdad University’s Dental College in what appears to be part of a campaign to intimidate the country’s intelligentsia.

The killing of Dr. Mundher Muharej comes amid reports that certain parts of Baghdad were slipping out of control once again.

Fighters belonging to al-Qaeda and other groups resisting U.S. occupation are said to be regrouping for a comeback to the areas they were forced to abandon following massive U.S. military operations.

Since U.S. troops landed in Baghdad almost four years ago, scores of university professors have been killed. The campaign has not spared doctors and top Iraqi scientists, writers, artists and media celebrities.

More Iraqi intellectuals are leaving the country now than in the time of former leader Saddam Hussein.

Iraqi government and police as well as U.S. troops have practically been doing nothing to stop the murderous campaign against these intellectuals.

Most of the killings are not investigated and university officials, refusing to be named, say they are not aware of any of the alleged killers being brought to justice.