adminAt least 20 explosions and two assassinations also left more than 170 people wounded in the country’s bloodiest day in more than six months, reflecting the brutal unrest and endless political crises that were sparked by an invasion that had aimed to build a democratic ally in the heart of the Middle East.
The attacks come amid a spike in violence that has raised fresh questions about the capabilities of the Iraqi security forces, with separate reports by Britain-based Iraq Body Count and researchers in The Lancet putting the overall death toll from the decade of bloodshed at over 112 000 civilians.
Most of yesterday’s attacks struck in Shi’ite neighbourhoods in Baghdad during morning rush hour, with security forces stepping up searches at checkpoints and closing off key roads, worsening the capital’s gridlock, an AFP reporter said.
Soldiers and police also established new checkpoints and, unusually, were searching at least some government-marked vehicles that are typically allowed to pass uninspected.
In all, at least 15 car bombs were set off, including two by suicide attackers, along with multiple roadside bombs and gun attacks, officials said yesterday was the deadliest day since September 9, when 76 people were killed.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the violence, but Sunni militants often target Shi’ite civilians and government employees in a bid to destabilise the country.
Violence has spiked ahead of the 10th anniversary, with 114 people killed in the past week, according to an AFP tally based on reports from security and medical officials. — AFP.
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