Following the bombing one member of the Iraqi Governing Council, Mohammed Bahr al-Uloum, suspended his membership to protest the lack of security in Iraq.

Ayatollah Hakim’s brother, Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, who is also on the governing council, said the U.S. military is at fault for failing to provide security.

He said “These troops are ultimately responsible for achieving security and stability. They are ultimately responsible for the innocent blood which is being shed every day in Najaf, Baghdad, Basra, Mosul and all over Iraq.”