Iraqis Celebrate Asian Cup Win

At least some of the gunfire heard in Baghdad on Sunday was celebratory, for a change:  Jubilant Iraqis flouted a government ban by firing shots into the air following Iraq’s 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in the final match of the Asian Cup soccer tournament.

BBC:

Correspondents say Iraq’s progress has temporarily united the divided country.

The team includes Sunni and Shia Muslims, as well as Kurds.

Thousands of Iraqis, who had been following the match in Indonesia on television, rushed into the streets of the capital and other cities to celebrate.

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AP Photo / Irwin Fedriansyah

The Iraqi soccer team—composed of Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds—enjoys the fruits of victory after Sunday’s Asian Cup finals in Jakarta, Indonesia.