Bomb Blasts Kill At Least 80 in Cities Across Iraq

Iraqi and U.S. officials concerned about ability of Iraqi forces to protect the country

Video

Coordinated Iraq blasts kill scores (NBC “Today,” Aug. 15, 2011) — A wave of coordinated attacks across Iraq ended with at least 86 dead, in Iraq’s deadliest day this year. At least 300 people were wounded. TODAY.com’s Dara Brown reports. (00:57)

The Associated Press and Reuters via MSNBC.com
Aug. 15, 2011

BAGHDAD — Bomb blasts ripped through more than a dozen Iraqi cities Monday in apparently coordinated attacks that killed at least 80 security forces and civilians.

It was in the worst attack this year, and one that highlighted al-Qaida’s resolve and ability to wreak havoc. There have been at least 23 separate bomb blasts since late Sunday night. …

Nineteen of the bomb blasts were coordinated to go off Monday morning and included parked car bombs, roadside bombs, a suicide bomber driving a vehicle that rammed into a police station and even bombs attached to lightpoles.

The scope of the violence — seven explosions went off in different towns in Diyala province alone — emphasized that insurgents are still able to carry out attacks despite repeated crackdowns by Iraqi and U.S. forces.

Full story

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Related reports on this site

Rocket Salvo Greets New U.S. Defense Secretary in Baghdad (July 11, 2011)

Baghdad Area Bombings Continue (July 5, 2011)

U.S. Deaths in Iraq at 2-Year High (June 30, 2011)

Endless U.S. War Price Tag Hits $4 Trillion (June 29, 2011)

Deadly Blasts Shatter Calm in Baghdad (June 23, 2011)

Spate of Bombings in Baghdad (April 18, 2011)

Iraq: Many Dead in Tikrit (March 29, 2011)

Iraq: Slaughter in Samarra (Feb. 12, 2011)

Iraq Violence Persists (Feb. 9, 2011)

Wholesale Slaughter in Iraq (Jan. 18, 2011)

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