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Iraqis blame bombings on political infighting

Wednesday’s attack kills 95, wounds 1,000

IRAQ: Iraqis seethed at their security forces on Thursday after 95 people died and more than 1,000 were wounded in the bloodiest day of attacks in Iraq this year, many blaming political infighting as parliamentary elections near.

Wednesday’s explosions struck at the heart of Iraqi state power, close to Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone complex, damaging the finance and foreign ministries nearby. The scale of the security lapses fostered political conspiracy theories.

“The reason for the blasts was political infighting, and the Iraqi people are the victims,” said shopper Munther al-Lamy at a deserted downtown market that is normally a sea of people.

“Security forces at these checkpoints were loyal to particular parties, which is why they let the attacks happen.” A day after the huge truck bombs in Baghdad, a series of blasts killed at least seven people and wounded 55 in the southern province of Babel, a mainly Shi’ite area that had been relatively calm until earlier this year.

Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said Wednesday’s bomb attacks were a “vengeful response” by al Qaeda to the government’s plans to remove most of the city’s concrete barriers within 40 days, an effort to restore normal life to city streets. Life in Baghdad on Thursday was far from normal.

“You can tell people are scared by looking at the market. Only the shopkeepers are here,” said store owner Saadeq Jaafar.

The plan to remove blast walls was a display of confidence in Iraqi forces after U.S. troops withdrew from urban centres in June, ahead of a full withdrawal by 2012. Baghdad’s security spokesman said the plan would continue despite the violence.

The move is consistent with expectations that Maliki will try to seek a new mandate in parliamentary elections in January by claiming credit for improved security.

“These explosions are aimed at toppling Maliki’s government.

They are the games of political parties, flexing their muscles to show they are the strongest,” said shopper Mudher Hameed. BAGHDAD, Friday, Reutersl

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