Iraq explosions kill dozens and wound hundreds
A series of bomb blasts erupt across Iraq killing at least 43 and wounding 232, raising fresh fears ahead of an Arab League summit in Baghdad next week.
The deadliest attack, in a series of around 12, took place this morning in the southern Shi’ite Muslim holy city of Kerbala, where twin explosions killed 13 people and wounded 48, a health department spokesman said.
A car bomb also exploded near the police headquarters in the northern city of Kirkuk, killing nine people and wounding 42.
Although overall violence has declined in the country since the height of sectarian fighting in 2006 and 2007, the latest wave of attacks are likely to cause some concern for Iraq’s neighbours, who are due to visit the capital next week for an Arab League summit – Iraq’s first in 20 years.
Seen as the country’s debut on the regional stage following the withdrawal of US troops in December, members will come to a city in which a car bomb this morning exploded near the provincial council building, killing four and wounding 11.
Witnesses described how further explosions took place after Iraq’s security forces, which are frequently targeted, gathered at the scene. Murtadha Ali Kadhim, a 23-year-old shop owner in Kerbala, said: “The second explosion caused the biggest destruction. I saw body parts, fingers, hands thrown on the road. The security forces are stupid because they always gather at the site of an explosion and then a second explosion occurs.
“They become a target.”
Blasts also occurred in Baijii, Samarra, Tuz Khurmato, Daquq and Dhuluia, which are all north of Baghdad, in Ramadi in the west, and Hilla, Latifiya and Madmudiya in the south.
But in some areas, police were able to thwart planned attacks. Officers said they had found and defused eight bombs in the northeastern city of Baquba, and police in Falluja in the west said they had defused a roadside bomb.