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Iraq: Wave of attacks in Baghdad and north 'kills 91' | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A string of bomb attacks and shootings in Baghdad and north of the capital has killed at least 91 people, say security and medical officials. | |
Many of those killed were security forces - who appear to have been a prime target, correspondents say. | Many of those killed were security forces - who appear to have been a prime target, correspondents say. |
One of the worst-hit places was Taji, a Sunni neighbourhood some 20km (12 miles) north of Baghdad, where at least 24 people were killed. | One of the worst-hit places was Taji, a Sunni neighbourhood some 20km (12 miles) north of Baghdad, where at least 24 people were killed. |
At least 172 people were wounded on one of the bloodiest days of the year. | |
Some 13 Iraqi towns and cities were hit in the spate of apparently co-ordinated attacks. | |
Deadly bombings hit Shia districts in Baghdad. In the deadliest attack, a car bombing at a government building in Sadr city killed at least 12. | |
At least seven car bombs hit the northern oil city of Kirkuk. | At least seven car bombs hit the northern oil city of Kirkuk. |
Dhuluiya, Saadiya, Khan Beni-Saad, Tuz Khurmatu and Dibis were also said to have suffered attacks. | Dhuluiya, Saadiya, Khan Beni-Saad, Tuz Khurmatu and Dibis were also said to have suffered attacks. |
The attacks come days after a man purporting to be Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq, declared a new offensive to retake areas it retreated from before US soldiers left the country last December. | |
"The majority of Sunnis in Iraq support al-Qaeda and are waiting for its return," the man said, according to Associated Press, in an audio message posted on militant websites. | |
'Why?' | 'Why?' |
The security forces suffered badly in Monday's attacks, with 15 soldiers reportedly killed in a single brazen attack on a base in Dhuluiya in Salaheddin province. | |
Police checkpoints were hit by car bombs, army bases were struck by mortar fire, and one policeman was even attacked in his home, says the BBC's Rami Ruhayem in Baghdad. | Police checkpoints were hit by car bombs, army bases were struck by mortar fire, and one policeman was even attacked in his home, says the BBC's Rami Ruhayem in Baghdad. |
In Taji, a string of five or six explosions went off. When police arrived on the scene to help, another explosion struck - according to one report, a suicide bomber. | |
In all, at least 41 people were killed, including at least 14 police. A row of houses was completely destroyed and residents were trying to find victims in the rubble, said a reporter for AFP news agency. | |
Resident Ali Hussein lamented the number of ordinary people killed in Taji. | Resident Ali Hussein lamented the number of ordinary people killed in Taji. |
"What is the guilt of these poor people?" asked resident Ali Hussein. | "What is the guilt of these poor people?" asked resident Ali Hussein. |
"They are working to earn a living. It is a poor market and people were here to shop in this market when the blast happened. Why did this happen?" | "They are working to earn a living. It is a poor market and people were here to shop in this market when the blast happened. Why did this happen?" |
On Sunday, bombings south of the capital killed at least 17. | |
Monday's swiftly rising death toll quickly made it the deadliest day of the year. | |
Violence dipped in Iraq following the insurgency in 2006 and 2007, but sectarian violence has returned across the country in recent months amid worsening political tensions. | Violence dipped in Iraq following the insurgency in 2006 and 2007, but sectarian violence has returned across the country in recent months amid worsening political tensions. |
At least 237 people were killed during June, making it one of the bloodiest months since US troops withdrew in December. | At least 237 people were killed during June, making it one of the bloodiest months since US troops withdrew in December. |
Are you in the area? Have you been affected by these events? Please get in touch using the form below. | Are you in the area? Have you been affected by these events? Please get in touch using the form below. |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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