Bombings and shootings in Baghdad, U.S.-occupied Iraq
The 19 March 2013 Iraq attacks were a series of coordinated bombings and shootings across the capital Baghdad and several major cities in the north and central parts of the country. At least 98 people were killed and more than 240 others injured in the wave of violence, which took place on the tenth anniversary of the beginning of the Iraq War.
Background.
The attacks occurred on the 10th anniversary of the Iraq War, and about sixteen months following the withdrawal of the United States military forces from the area, leaving the security of the country in the hands of the Iraqi security forces. Violence slightly rose during 2012, with militant groups averaging about one major attack every month.
In addition, the country was in the midst of major protests by the Sunni population that began in December 2012. On 25 January 2013, the demonstrations against the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki turned deadly in Fallujah, as soldiers opened fire on a crowd of rock-throwing demonstrators, killing 7 and injuring more than 70 others. Three soldiers were later shot to death in retaliation for the incident, and clashes erupted in the city.
On 14 February Human Rights Watch called on Iraqi authorities to complete and announce the results of the ongoing parliamentary committee and the Defense Ministry investigations into the Fallujah shootings. On 8 March Iraqi Police forces shot at protesters in Mosul, killing three and injuring nine others. In response to this, Agriculture Minister Izz al-Din al-Dawla announced his resignation, while Parliament Speaker Usama al-Nujayfi called on other Sunni officials to follow suit.
Attacks.
Numerous attacks were conducted within hours of each other on 19 March 2013 across Baghdad, Mosul and several smaller cities in Iraq.
Perpetrators.
On 20 March, the Islamic State of Iraq claimed responsibility for the wave of attacks in a statement published on a militant website. The group said the violence was in response to "the executions and massacres of convicted Sunni inmates" held in Iraqi prisons and warned the government to stop with the practice or "expect more bad events ... and seas of blood".
References.
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