Al-Qaeda wing claims responsibility for Iraq bombings
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 18 February 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Al-Qaeda wing claims responsibility for Iraq bombings, 18 February 2013, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/51276eefc.html [accessed 18 May 2013] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
February 18, 2013
Iraqis inspect the site of a car bomb attack in Baghdad's impoverished district of Sadr City on February 17.
Iraq's Al-Qaeda affiliate is claiming responsibility for a wave of bombings in Shi'ite areas of Baghdad.
The group, the Islamic State of Iraq, posted a message on an extremist Internet forum on February 18, saying the previous day's attacks were "in revenge for criminal acts by the Shi'ite-led government in Sunni areas of the capital."
At least 28 people were killed and more than 100 were wounded by blasts in Sadr City, Habibiya, Qahira, and at least two other Baghdad districts.
Since January, there have been more than 10 suicide bombings across Iraq.
For the past two months, Sunnis across Iraq have been protesting the rule of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al- Maliki, with some demonstrations blocking key transportation routes.
They accuse the government of persecuting and discriminating against the country's Sunni minority.
Based on reporting by AFP and Reuters
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
