An al-Qaeda-affiliated group in Iraq has claimed responsibility for the bombings that blasted government buildings, markets and cafes in Baghdad on December 22, the Washington Post is reporting. The strikes killed at least 65 people, as the group, Islamic State of Iraq, said it knows when and where to strike.
Islamic State of Iraq issued a communique on jihadist forums, which provided details about one of the attacks. The described attack detailed a suicide car bombing that targeted an anti-corruption agency’s headquarters. The group called the bombings the “Thursday invasion,” and added that it was rebelling against what it described as the country’s Shiite-controlled government.
Terrorism analysts have said the bombings are the trademark of al-Qaeda’s coordinated attacks. The analysts added that the militant terrorist organization is likely trying to further divide Sunnis and Shiites, particularly after the bitter feud between the leaders of the two groups.
Iraq’s Shite-controlled government accused one of the country’s two vice presidents, Traiq al-Hashimi, a Sunni, of enlisting his body guards to run a hit squad, several days before the bombings. He then fled Baghdad to Kuristan, and Iraq’s Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, a Shiite, has demanded the Kurds return him to Iraq.
The coordinated attacks, which occurred in mostly Shiite neighborhoods, is the first major bloodshed since U.S. troops completed a full withdrawal. However, the claim of responsibility made no mention of the withdrawal of U.S. troops.
Written by: Karen Benardello
