A series of attacks shakes the country, a church hit in Baghdad
Baghdad (AsiaNews) - A dozen bombings on Monday in and around Baghdad and north of the city killed at least 41 and wounded 125 others. Many of the attacks struck outdoor markets or restaurants in the Iraqi capital, including the neighbourhoods Al Nasser, Karrada, Al Jihad and Nahrawan. Bombings were also reported in Mosul and Tikrit.
The wave of violence-including gun attacks and suicide bombings-has left more than 2,000 people dead since April, the worse toll in the past five years. Sources told AsiaNews that no one has been spared. Innocent Sunnis, Shias and Christians have fallen victims to a war carried out by unknown extremists.
The security situation appears to reflect Iraq's ongoing political struggle. The rift among politicians is being exploited by many to sow division and confusion among innocent people.
People in Baghdad and other Iraqi cities have experienced a difficult and bloody night due to car bombs and explosions that left scores dead. The attacks were aimed at outdoor markets and crowed places, and succeeded in destroying many shops, houses and cars.
Christian-owned shops and businesses were among the casualties. The store of Abu Warda, a Chaldean Christian who prepares food in Baghdad's Karrada neighbourhood, was attacked with a car bomb. One of the employees, Ashur, died in the explosion, leaving a wife and three children. Two other employees were wounded.
In another part of the capital, the Sinaa neighbourhood, two car bombs exploded in front of a store owned by Mariana and Rahhim, a Christian couple.
The ferocity of the attacks has not spared religious buildings. Last night, masked men attacked St Mary Assyrian Church, in the east of Baghdad. The attackers were in front of the building and fired wildly at the guards standing outside the building, seriously wounding two of them.
So far, no one has claimed responsibility for the attacks, which did not spare other parts of Iraq, nor is it clear why they were carried out. All that is certain is that people are starting to be scared.
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