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Al Qaeda claims bombings

March 21, 2012

The front group for al Qaeda in Iraq claimed responsibility for a series of bombings that shook the country on Tuesday, saying their goal was to disrupt security plans for next week's Arab League summit in Baghdad.

https://p.dw.com/p/14OSV
Iraqi security forces inspect the site of a bomb attack in Kirkuk
Image: Reuters

In a posting to an online forum Wednesday, the Islamic State of Iraq said it had targeted the "fool government preparing" for the summit.

"Within few hours, all the security measures adopted by the Shiite government have collapsed and the enemy was taken by surprise," the statement read.

The bombings took place in several cities around the country and killed at least 46 people, while wounding an additional 250. Some of the blasts targeted police stations and security checkpoints.

Security in Iraq had already been stepped up ahead of the landmark summit, which will be hosted in Iraq for the first time in over 20 years. Arab League delegates will meet from March 27-29 in Baghdad, and extra security forces will be brought in from around the country to help secure the capital.

mz/ncy (AP, AFP)

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Bombs shake Iraq ahead of Arab League summit

Bombs shake Iraq ahead of Arab League summit

In Iraq, more than 40 people have been killed and more than 200 others wounded in a series of bombing attacks. +++LM-REIN+++ The deadliest took place in the Shi'ite holy city of Karbala, southwest of Baghdad. A total of 13 people were killed, and nearly 50 wounded. +++LMRAUS++++ The new round of violence raises serious questions about the ability of Iraqi security forces to prevent insurgent attacks.
March 20, 201201:02 min