Iraqi authorities are defending their handling of a hostage-taking attack Sunday at a Baghdad church. At least 57 people died during the incident, while dozens more were wounded.
Iraqi officials surveyed the aftermath of the siege at the Our Lady of Deliverance church, expressing shock at the extent of the carnage.
伊拉克官员统计了在拯救圣母教堂发生的人质围困事件之后的损失，他们对屠杀的范围之大表示震惊。
Police said militants set off suicide vests loaded with ball bearings inside the crowded church, where worshippers had gathered for prayer.
警方说，激进分子在拥挤的教堂内引爆了装有工业用钢珠的自杀式炸弹背心，当时很多信徒聚集在那里祈祷。
It was not immediately clear how many hostages were killed by militants or died at the hands of Iraqi forces during the rescue attempt.
目前还不清楚有多少人质被激进分子打死，还有多少人质是在营救过程中被伊拉克安全部队打死。
Lawmaker Unadem Kana, a Christian, said he appreciated the sacrifice of the troops, both those wounded and killed, but expressed reservations.
伊拉克议员尤纳丹.卡纳是一名基督徒，他说他感谢安全部队中受伤和阵亡的士兵作出的牺牲，但是他持一定的保留态度。
Kana said the mission was not professional.
卡纳说，这次任务执行得不够专业。
Video of the incident released by the U.S. military showed several blasts as forces moved in.
美国军方公布的这次袭击的录像显示在安全部队冲进教堂时发生了几起爆炸。
Iraqi Defense Minister Abdul-Qadr al-Obeidi has defended the move, saying it was impossible to wait because the hostage takers had threatened to kill the captives.
伊拉克国防部长奥贝迪为这次行动辩护，他说当时不可能等待，因为劫持者威胁要杀死人质。
Al-Obeidi called the operation a success, with all the terrorists killed and several suspects detained. Those arrested are believed to be connected to the al-Qaida-linked group Islamic State of Iraq.
奥贝迪称这次行动是成功的，所有恐怖分子都被打死，几名嫌疑人也被拘留。这些人据信与“伊拉克伊斯兰国”组织有关。这个组织与基地组织有牵连。
A statement attributed to the group late Sunday claimed responsibility for the attack. It tied the assault on Iraqi Christians to the case of two Egyptian women who disappeared after allegedly converting from Christianity to Islam.
星期日晚上，该组织发布的一份声明声称对这起袭击负责。声明将这次针对伊拉克基督教徒的袭击与两名埃及妇女的失踪事件联系起来。这两名妇女是在从天主教改信伊斯兰教之后失踪的。
Although the violence came to a climax at the church, it began earlier in the day at a nearby stock exchange, in Baghdad's Karada neighborhood.
星期日的暴力事件在教堂达到顶峰，但是当天早些时候在附近的一个证券交易所就开始了。这个交易所在巴格达的卡拉达区。
There was also some confusion about the role of the U.S. military in the operation. Iraqi and U.S. officials say Iraqi forces took the lead. But one hostage who survived the ordeal said he was freed by a group with men who looked like Americans.
外界对美国军方在这次行动中的角色也有一些疑惑。伊拉克和美国官员说，伊拉克部队主导拯救人质的行动。但是一名死里逃生的人质说，他是被一群看起来像美国人的人救出来的。
The United States says its troops are no longer engaged in any combat missions in Iraq.
美国表示，美军不再参与伊拉克的任何作战任务。
Washington is eager to see greater stability in Iraq as it fulfills an agreement to withdraw all U.S. troops from the country by the end of next year.
随着美国逐步履行在明年年底之前从伊拉克全部撤军的协议，华盛顿方面急切希望看到伊拉克局势更加稳定。 |