BAGHDAD (AP) — A rapid series of attacks spread over a wide swath of Iraqi territory killed at least 50 people on Thursday, targeting mostly security forces in what appeared to be another strike by al-Qaida militants bent on destabilizing the country.
The apparently coordinated bombings and shootings unfolded over four hours in the capital Baghdad — where most of the deaths were — and 11 other cities. They struck government offices, restaurants and one in the town of Musayyib hit close to a primary school. At least 225 people were wounded.
"What is happening today are not simple security violations — it is a huge security failure and disaster," said Ahmed al-Tamimi, who was working at an Education Ministry office a block away from a restaurant that was bombed in the Shiite neighborhood of Kazimiyah in northern Baghdad. He described a hellish scene of human flesh and pools of blood at the restaurant.
"We want to know: What were the thousands of policemen and soldiers in Baghdad doing today while the terrorists were roaming the city and spreading violence?" al-Tamimi said.
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| An Iraqi policeman inspects a destroyed vehicle at the site of a blast in the northern city of Kirkuk on February 23, 2012 photo MARWAN IBRAHIM |
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| An Iraqi firefighter douses a car as security forces inspect the site of a blast in the northern city of Kirkuk on February 23, 2012 - photo MARWAN IBRAHIM |
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| Iraqi firefighters try to extinguish a burning bus at the scene of a car bomb explosion in Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012 - Photo/Hadi Mizban |
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| Ahmed Ali inspects his destroyed car after a car bomb explosion in Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012 - Photo/Hadi Mizban |
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| An Iraqi firefighter douses a car as security forces inspect the site of a blast in the northern city of Kirkuk on February 23, 2012 - photo MARWAN IBRAHIM |
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