BAGHDAD, 31 May 2005 — The US military yesterday mistakenly arrested a Sunni leader, further stoking sectarian passion, as two suicide bombers killed 27 former commandos protesting their retrenchment in the Shiite city of Hilla.

Mohsen Abdul-Hamid, head of the Iraqi Islamic Party, was arrested at his home in Khadra, western Baghdad, at about 6 a.m. by US forces, according to party officials and the man’s wife.

The US military later confirmed it had mistakenly arrested Abdul-Hamid, a short-time president of the now dissolved US-backed Governing Council, and released him shortly afterward.

“This morning coalition forces detained and interviewed (Abdul-Hamid),” the announcement said. “Following the interview it was determined that he was detained by mistake and should be released. Mr. Hamid is being returned to his home. Coalition forces regret any inconvenience and acknowledge Mr. Hamid’s cooperation in resolving this matter.”

Abdul-Hamid’s arrest sparked furious protests. President Jalal Talabani condemned the detention and Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafari ordered an investigation.

“We believe there are parties that are benefiting from such raids on prominent Sunni leaders who have been supporting the political process and democracy in Iraq,” Jaafari’s spokesman Laith Kubba said. “This is the fourth time that a Sunni leader has been arrested.”

Relatives of Abdul-Hamid said US troops broke down the door of his family home, ransacked the house and put a hood over his head before taking him away.

Sunni leaders were outraged.

Iraqi Islamic Party Secretary-General Ayad Al-Samarei called the detention a provocative and foolish act. “This is part of the pressure exerted on the party,” he said.

“At the time when the Americans say they are keen on real Sunni participation, they are arresting the head of the only Sunni party that calls for a peaceful solution and have participated in the political process,” he added.

Adnan Al-Dulaimi, head of the Sunni Endowment, an umbrella Sunni group, warned the arrest could cause problems. “At a time we seek to calm things in Iraq... we find acts that try to deter our efforts as if there is a hidden hand that seeks to marginalize the Sunnis,” he told a news conference.

Police said the Hilla bombers mingled with former police commandos who were demonstrating outside a government office because their unit had been disbanded. The first bomber detonated his explosives in the middle of the crowd. As survivors scattered, the other bomber ran with them and blew himself up.

“You just can’t count the dead because the bodies were torn apart,” said an Iraqi man surveying the scene. “May God punish those who did this.”

More than 100 people were wounded, police said. Body parts lay in pools of blood on the street beside sandals and shoes. Workers carried shredded bodies on stretchers and sheets and loaded them on to the back of pick-up trucks.

Insurgent leader Abu Mussab Al-Zarqawi told Osama Bin Laden in an audio tape attributed to him that he suffered only “minor” wounds, denying reports he was seriously injured. “I think news has reached your ears through the media that I was seriously wounded... I would like to assure you and assure Muslims that these are baseless rumors and that my wounds are minor,” the voice on the tape said.

“I am now with the help of God enjoying good health among my brothers and my people in Iraq,” it added. The authenticity of the Internet tape could not be verified.

— Additional input from agencies