By IANS,
Baghdad : Iraq’s Al Qaeda Friday claimed responsibility for the series of massive bombings in Baghdad and other areas that killed over 150 people and wounded hundreds in the last 10 days.
The attacks targeted government headquarters, security and military centres and Shiite strongholds along with people who cooperate with the government, Xinhua reported.
The Al Qaeda, in an online statement, said the attacks came at the time when Iraqi security forces are intensifying security measures in Baghdad and carrying out a major offensive in the Sunni areas around Baghdad to stop the insurgent attacks.
The attacks were “in response to the latest crime of executing a group of Sunni muslims in Iraq”, referring to the execution of 17 convicted prisoners by the Iraqi government, the statement added.
“What you got is only a message which will be followed by others. We will avenge the blood of our brothers,” said the statement.
On Aug 19, Iraq’s Ministry of Justice announced it had executed 17 convicted prisoners, including an Egyptian and two Iraqi women, over terror charges and criminal acts.