Six gay men shot to death in Iraq by tribe members

By: Latoyia Kimbrough

According to an article by Mohammed Tawfeeq published on the CNN website six gay men were killed in two separate incidents in Iraq. According to an official with Iraq's Interior ministry, these six gay men were shot dead by members of their own tribe within the past 10 days. The official that provided the information declined to be identified because he is not authorized to speak to the media.

The most recent attack happened on Thursday in the Sadr City area of Baghdad where two men were killed after being disowned by their relatives. The shootings were held after a tribal meeting where the members decided to go after the victims. The fist incident happened on March 26 were four other men were fatally shot in the same city and these victims like the others had also been disowned by their family. Witnesses further went on to tell CNN that a Sadr City cafe, which known to be a popular gathering spot for gays, was also set on fire. It was not specified whether police were looking into these deaths but I highly doubt it being the Iraqi government is very vocal about their anti-homosexual beliefs.