Dozens Killed In Series Of Attacks In Iraq

[News_Editor]

Dozens killed in series of attacks in Iraq < br />

2013-01-17 09:04:12 GMT+7 (ICT)

BAGHDAD, IRAQ (BNO NEWS) -- Dozens of people were killed in Iraq in a violent wave of bombings on Wednesday, local media reported.

A suicide attack and other bombings in the cities of Kirkuk and Tuz Khurmato in northern Iraq and the capital, Baghdad, have killed over 30 people with scores of others being injured, according to media reports.

The death toll has varied, but the deadliest attack on Wednesday occurred in Kirkuk, located 236 kilometers (147 miles) north of Baghdad, when a suicide bomber targeted the Kurdistan Democratic Party. At least 27 people were reported killed, while over 100 were also injured. Iraq's health department had previously stated that up to eighteen people had been killed in the Kirkuk attack with approximately 200 people injured, according to the National Iraqi News Agency.

In Tuz Khurmato, around 90 kilometers (56 miles) south of Kirkuk, a car bomb near the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan offices killed at least three people with a number of others also being wounded. Violence was also reported in Baghdad, including the killings of police officers by unidentified gunmen in Shiite areas of the city.

The United Nations (UN) strongly condemned the attacks which have targeted individuals in crowded areas. killing dozens.

"I am particularly alarmed that attacks in disputed internal areas further aggravate the tensions there," said the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), Martin Kobler.

The Special Representative urged all Iraqi leaders to live up to their responsibilities and to work without delay on defusing the situation and engaging in peaceful dialogue.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2013-01-17

[maidu]

What a miserable part of the world. This wouldn't have anythingn to do with the type of religion they believe in, would it?

[Scott]

It may or it may not have to do with religion. The two main Kurdish political factions are the PUK and KDP. Both were attacked, so there is a good chance that it was aimed at the Kurdish ethnic minority.....but one never knows for sure in that part of the world.

[simple1]

What a miserable part of the world. This wouldn't have anythingn to do with the type of religion they believe in, would it?

As Scott has said attacks on two Iraqi Kurdish political party offices and killing of Shiite police officers. More likely political/power disputes, rather than motivated by religion

[thaibeachlovers]

<The Special Representative urged all Iraqi leaders to live up to their responsibilities and to work without delay on defusing the situation and engaging in peaceful dialogue.>

Pigs will fly first!

Sad thing is that it's all going to be repeated in another country in a couple of years time.

[Chicog]

What a miserable part of the world. This wouldn't have anythingn to do with the type of religion they believe in, would it?

As Scott has said attacks on two Iraqi Kurdish political party offices and killing of Shiite police officers. More likely political/power disputes, rather than motivated by religion

Or more revenge attacks from disenfranchised Sunnis, who are more prone to resort to suicide bombings than the Shi'a.

Edited January 17, 2013 by Chicog

[Scott]

The majority of the Kurds are Sunni's as well.

[koheesti]

What a miserable part of the world. This wouldn't have anythingn to do with the type of religion they believe in, would it?

As Scott has said attacks on two Iraqi Kurdish political party offices and killing of Shiite police officers. More likely political/power disputes, rather than motivated by religion

Just the other day there was a story about some Kurdish activists being killed in Paris. I guess being Kurdish is pretty dangerous wherever you are.

[Scott]

I believe the 3 activists that were killed in Paris were Turkish Kurds. Probably quite a different situation, but it doesn't make them any less dead or being Kurdish any less safe.