At least 50 dead, 250 wounded in Iraq attacks

Iraq

A new wave of violence hit Baghdad Thursday and several other cities in Iraq, killing at least 50 people and highlighting the precarious security situation in the country, two months after the withdrawal of U.S. troops.

The attacks were carried out by roadside bombs and car bombs, including at least one carried out by a suicide bomber. More than 250 people were wounded.

They attacks hit at least seven different areas of the capital, killing at least 22 people. Attacks also took place in several towns in the provinces of Salaheddin (north), Diyala (center), Babylon (center) and Kirkuk (north), according to Interior Ministry and local security officials.

This is the bloodiest series of attacks since January 14, when a suicide bombing attack against Shiite pilgrims killed at least 53 people near the city of Basra (south). Thursday's series of attacks seemed to focus more on law enforcement targets and civilians, and not a particular community.

The last attack in Baghdad took place just four days ago, when a suicide bombing outside the police academy killed 15 people and wounded 21.

Iraq is expected to host on March 29 a summit of the Arab League, the first since the revolutionary wave that rocked the region as the bloodshed continues in Syria. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki hopes that Syria will be involved, although it was suspended from the work of the League.

These attacks come as the political crisis between Sunni and Shiite factions continue to paralyze the country since the departure of U.S. forces.