19 March 2013 Iraq attacks

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19 March 2013 Iraq attacks
Part of Iraqi insurgency (post-U.S. withdrawal)
LocationAcross Iraq
Date19 March 2013 (2013-03-19)
Target Shia civilians, Iraqi security forces
Attack type
Car bombings, suicide bombings, roadside bombings, shootings
Weapons
DeathsAt least 98
InjuredAt least 240

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. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

Contents

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. [6] [7]

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. [8] 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. [9]

Attacks

Numerous attacks were conducted within hours of each other on 19 March 2013 across Baghdad, Mosul and several smaller cities in Iraq. [3]

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". [10]

Reactions

Domestic

International

See also

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References

  1. "Baghdad Shia areas hit by deadly car bombs". BBC News. 19 March 2013. Archived from the original on 2 December 2017. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
  2. Markey, Patrick; Raheem, Kareem (19 March 2013). "Bombs kill 50 on Iraq invasion anniversary". Reuters. Archived from the original on 13 January 2016. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
  3. 1 2 Margaret Griffis (19 March 2013). "Iraq Invasion Anniversary Carnage: 98 Killed, over 240 Wounded". Antiwar.com. Archived from the original on 7 August 2019. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
  4. Mohammed Tawfeeq; Joe Sterling (19 March 2013). "Attacks claim 55 lives on Iraq anniversary". CNN. Archived from the original on 4 February 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  5. "Series of bomb blasts kill scores in Baghdad". aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on 15 February 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  6. "9 killed as protesters, army clash in Iraq". Tampa Bay Times. 25 January 2013. Archived from the original on 30 January 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  7. "Iraqi Troops Fire on Protesters; 14 Killed, 72 Wounded Across Country". Antiwar.com Original. 25 January 2013. Archived from the original on 27 January 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  8. "Iraq: Investigate Deadly Army Shootings in Fallujah - Human Rights Watch". hrw.org. 14 February 2013. Archived from the original on 4 February 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  9. "31 Killed Across Iraq; Police Fire on Protesters". Antiwar.com Original. 8 March 2013. Archived from the original on 23 April 2013. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
  10. "On 10th anniversary of war, al-Qaida in Iraq claims wave of attacks that killed 65". The Washington Post . Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
  11. "Iraqis mourn 59 victims of Tuesday's attacks". Mawtani. 20 March 2013. Archived from the original on 4 February 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  12. "China condemns bombings (China Daily)". chinadaily.com.cn. Archived from the original on 4 February 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  13. "KUNA: EU strongly condemns terror attacks in Iraq - Politics - 20/03/2013". kuna.net.kw. Archived from the original on 4 February 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2015.