Wave of bombings kill 70 in Iraq
Source: Agencies |
May 28, 2013, Tuesday
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AT least 70 people were killed in a wave of bombings in markets in Shiite neighborhoods across Baghdad yesterday in worsening sectarian violence in Iraq.
No group claimed responsibility for the blasts.
But Sunni Muslim Islamist insurgents and al-Qaida's Iraqi wing have increased attacks since the beginning of the year and often target Shiite districts.
More than a dozen blasts tore into markets and shopping areas in districts across the Iraqi capital, including twin bombs just several hundred meters apart that killed at least 13 people in the capital's Sadr City area, police said.
"A driver hit a car and left pretending to bring traffic police. Another car rushed to take him away and right after his car exploded among people who had gathered to see what was happening," said bystander Hassan Kadhim. "People were shouting for help and blood covered their faces."
Tensions between the Shiite leadership and the Sunni Muslim minority are at their worst since US troops left in December 2011, and the conflict in Syria is straining Iraq's fragile communal balance.
More than 700 people were killed in attacks in April, according to a UN count, the highest monthly toll in almost five years. So far in May more than 300 people have died.
Street protests by Sunnis
Thousands of Sunnis began staging street protests last December against Shiite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, whom they accuse of marginalizing their sect since the fall of Saddam Hussein after the US invasion in 2003.
The latest surge in violence began in April after a raid by the Iraqi army on a Sunni Muslim protest camp in the town of Hawija led to clashes with the security forces and more attacks.
Bombings on Shiite and Sunni mosques, security forces and Sunni tribal leaders over a month-long surge in violence are heightening worries Iraq risks returning to the level of sectarian violence that killed thousands in 2006-2007.
Alarmed by a nationwide deterioration in the security situation, the Iraqi prime minister has ordered a reshuffle in senior military ranks.
Since last Saturday, the government has launched a military operation in the country's western Anbar province to chase down fighters from al-Qaida in Iraq.
The group has grown stronger thanks to the rising lawlessness on the Syrian-Iraq frontier and to cross-border cooperation with the Syrian rebel group Jabhat al-Nusra, or the Nusra Front.
No group claimed responsibility for the blasts.
But Sunni Muslim Islamist insurgents and al-Qaida's Iraqi wing have increased attacks since the beginning of the year and often target Shiite districts.
More than a dozen blasts tore into markets and shopping areas in districts across the Iraqi capital, including twin bombs just several hundred meters apart that killed at least 13 people in the capital's Sadr City area, police said.
"A driver hit a car and left pretending to bring traffic police. Another car rushed to take him away and right after his car exploded among people who had gathered to see what was happening," said bystander Hassan Kadhim. "People were shouting for help and blood covered their faces."
Tensions between the Shiite leadership and the Sunni Muslim minority are at their worst since US troops left in December 2011, and the conflict in Syria is straining Iraq's fragile communal balance.
More than 700 people were killed in attacks in April, according to a UN count, the highest monthly toll in almost five years. So far in May more than 300 people have died.
Street protests by Sunnis
Thousands of Sunnis began staging street protests last December against Shiite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, whom they accuse of marginalizing their sect since the fall of Saddam Hussein after the US invasion in 2003.
The latest surge in violence began in April after a raid by the Iraqi army on a Sunni Muslim protest camp in the town of Hawija led to clashes with the security forces and more attacks.
Bombings on Shiite and Sunni mosques, security forces and Sunni tribal leaders over a month-long surge in violence are heightening worries Iraq risks returning to the level of sectarian violence that killed thousands in 2006-2007.
Alarmed by a nationwide deterioration in the security situation, the Iraqi prime minister has ordered a reshuffle in senior military ranks.
Since last Saturday, the government has launched a military operation in the country's western Anbar province to chase down fighters from al-Qaida in Iraq.
The group has grown stronger thanks to the rising lawlessness on the Syrian-Iraq frontier and to cross-border cooperation with the Syrian rebel group Jabhat al-Nusra, or the Nusra Front.
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