Co-ordinated attacks shake Iraqi cities
Bombings, explosions and shootings targeting police patrols and civilians in mainly Shia areas claim at least 55 lives.
A series of car bombings, roadside explosions, and shootings targeting police patrols and civilians across Iraq have left at least 55 people dead.
Hundreds more have been injured in the apparently co-ordinated attacks in more than 15 cities, including Baghdad, in one of the deadliest days since US troops were withdrawn from the country in December last year.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Hoshyar Zebari, Iraq’s foreign minister, blamed al-Qaeda-linked groups for the attacks, which were staged in predominantly Shia Muslim areas, and accused them of trying to derail an Arab League summit due to be held in the Iraqi capital.
Al Jazeera’s Jane Arraf reports from Baghdad.