At least 31 killed by attack on market in western China
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 22 May 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, At least 31 killed by attack on market in western China, 22 May 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/53a13a4911.html [accessed 5 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
May 22, 2014
Reports from China say at least 31 people were killed and 90 wounded by attackers who drove two vehicles into a crowded market and threw explosives out the windows.
The attack was in Urumqi, the capital of the restive Xinjiang region that is home mostly to Muslim Uyghurs.
In a statement, the Xinjiang regional government called the early morning May 22 attack "a serious violent terrorist incident of a particularly vile nature."
The resource-rich western region has seen increasing violence in recent months.
Beijing says it faces a terrorist threat from separatists there who are driven by Islamic extremism and support from foreign groups.
Critics say the security threat is exaggerated to justify hard-line measure, saying economic inequality and religious repression of Uyghurs is the cause of unrest.
Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, AFP, and Xinhua
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
