Attacks in 17 Iraqi cities leave 66 dead

Kut, Iraq:  Attacks in more than a dozen cities across Iraq killed 66 people on Monday, including 40 in twin blasts blamed on Al Qaida in the southern city of Kut, in the country’s bloodiest day in more than a 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 nearly 250 people, were quickly condemned by parliament speaker Osama Al Nujaifi, who blamed security leaders for unspecified “violations”, and one of Iraq’s most senior clerics, who called for top officials to “give clear answers” over failings.

In Monday’s worst attack, a roadside bomb in the centre of Kut, at 8am (0500 GMT) was followed minutes later by a nearby car bomb, medical and security officials said.

“Today’s attacks were not a surprise,” said Baghdad security spokesman Major General Qasim Atta, who said several other attacks planned for yesterday had been disrupted.
“Every three or four months, Al Qaida carries out operations in order to prove they are still here.”

Bomb blasts were also carried out in other cities including Tikrit, Diyala, Najaf, Kirkuk, Ramadi, Mosul and Iskandiriyah.