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Iraq attacks in Baghdad and north 'kill 107' | Iraq attacks in Baghdad and north 'kill 107' |
(about 7 hours later) | |
A wave of bomb attacks and shootings in Baghdad and north of the capital has killed at least 107 people, say security and medical officials. | A wave of bomb attacks and shootings in Baghdad and north of the capital has killed at least 107 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 41 people were killed. | One of the worst-hit places was Taji, a Sunni neighbourhood some 20km (12 miles) north of Baghdad, where at least 41 people were killed. |
At least 216 people were wounded on one of the bloodiest days of the year. | At least 216 people were wounded on one of the bloodiest days of the year. |
Some 19 Iraqi towns and cities were hit in the spate of apparently co-ordinated attacks. | |
Fatal bombings hit Shia districts in Baghdad. In the deadliest attack, a car bombing at a government building in Sadr city killed at least 16. | Fatal bombings hit Shia districts in Baghdad. In the deadliest attack, a car bombing at a government building in Sadr city killed at least 16. |
As Iraq deals with the aftermath of the attacks, questions arise about their timing and any link they might have to internal differences and regional developments. | As Iraq deals with the aftermath of the attacks, questions arise about their timing and any link they might have to internal differences and regional developments. |
But this kind of violence is not new to Iraq. It began just a few months after the US-led invasion and occupation of the country in 2003, and has never really stopped. | But this kind of violence is not new to Iraq. It began just a few months after the US-led invasion and occupation of the country in 2003, and has never really stopped. |
Since then, the country has been governed by an American civil administration, then by multiple Iraqi governments operating under US supervision. | Since then, the country has been governed by an American civil administration, then by multiple Iraqi governments operating under US supervision. |
Even after the US pulled out at the end of last year, the attacks continued, suggesting two constants - weakness on the part of Iraq's security forces, and the perpetrators' persistent ability to strike across the country. | Even after the US pulled out at the end of last year, the attacks continued, suggesting two constants - weakness on the part of Iraq's security forces, and the perpetrators' persistent ability to strike across the country. |
At least five car bombs hit the northern oil city of Kirkuk, and further north in the city of Mosul at least nine people died, reportedly including six soldiers. | At least five car bombs hit the northern oil city of Kirkuk, and further north in the city of Mosul at least nine people died, reportedly including six soldiers. |
Bombs and shootings in the restive province of Diyala killed 11. | Bombs and shootings in the restive province of Diyala killed 11. |
Saadiya, Khan Beni-Saad, Tuz Khurmatu, Dibis, Samarra and Dujail were also said to have suffered attacks. | Saadiya, Khan Beni-Saad, Tuz Khurmatu, Dibis, Samarra and Dujail 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 the group retreated from before US soldiers left the country last December. | 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 the group 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. | "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. |
Analysts suggest al-Qaeda is seeking to deepen the sectarian political crisis in Iraq that is setting Sunni Arab and Kurdish leaders against their Shia counterparts. | Analysts suggest al-Qaeda is seeking to deepen the sectarian political crisis in Iraq that is setting Sunni Arab and Kurdish leaders against their Shia counterparts. |
They say Monday's violence seemed to aim at security forces and government offices - favourite targets of al-Qaeda. | They say Monday's violence seemed to aim at security forces and government offices - favourite targets of al-Qaeda. |
'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. | 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 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. | 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?" he asked. | "What is the guilt of these poor people?" he asked. |
"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?" |
There was no immediate statement from the Iraqi government. | There was no immediate statement from the Iraqi government. |
On Sunday, bombings south of the capital killed at least 17. | On Sunday, bombings south of the capital killed at least 17. |
Monday's swiftly rising death toll made it the deadliest day of the year. | Monday's swiftly rising death toll 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 the 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 the 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. |