KUT: Attacks in more than a dozen cities across Iraq on Monday killed 66 people, including 40 in twin blasts in the southern city of Kut, in the country's bloodiest day this year.
The surge of violence raises questions over the capabilities of Iraq's forces after its leaders agreed to open talks with the US over a military training mission to last beyond a projected year-end American withdrawal.
The attacks, which took place in 17 cities and wounded more than 230 people, were quickly condemned by parliament speaker Osama al-Nujaifi, who blamed security leaders for unspecified "violations."
In Monday's worst attack, a roadside bomb in the centre of Kut, 160 kilometres (100 miles) south of Baghdad, at 8:00 am (0500 GMT) was followed minutes later by a nearby car bomb, medical and security officials said.
"I was on my way to my shop in the market and suddenly I felt myself being thrown to the ground," said 26-year-old Saadun Muftin, speaking from the city's Karama hospital.
"After that I found myself in the hospital with wounds all over my body."
Another shopkeeper, Mohammed Jassim, described "smoke everywhere" in the square where the blasts took place.
Ghalid Rashid Khazaa, health spokesman for Wasit province, of which Kut is the capital, put the toll at 40 dead and 65 wounded, with both figures including women and children. Security officials cordoned off the site of the attacks in their aftermath.
Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2011
Comments
Comments are closed for this article.