On April 6, more than 50 people were killed when at least seven bombs
were detonated throughout Baghdad, Middle East Newsline reported. Officials said the attacks were believed
to have been conducted by AQI amid the conflict between Alawi and Al Maliki.
"I call on all political parties and blocs to stand together and beside
the security forces, and prevent escalation, because it is not the proper
time to hurl accusations and depress the security forces," Al Maliki said.
So far, AQI was believed to have struck each of the last five days
around Baghdad. At least 120 people were killed in bombings that included
those of apartment buildings, four of which collapsed.
"They want to send that message because of the vacuum that has appeared
during the formation of the next government," Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar
Zebari said.
Alawi, whose coalition bested Al Maliki's party by two seats, has blamed
the power vacuum for the AQI offensive. He said the Iraqi security forces,
which number nearly 700,000, were preoccupied with protecting the Alawi
regime.
"Government officials are responsible for not achieving security," Alawi
said. "They have been saying 'We are ready'. Where is this readiness?
Nothing is ready."
Officials said AQI could maintain mass-casualty attacks over the
next few months, particularly in the Baghdad area. They said the
post-election struggle between Alawi and Al Maliki could divide the security
forces and encourage attacks on the majority Shi'ite community.
"We are in a battleground, and we have to expect any type of attack,"
Baghdad security spokesman Maj. Gen. Qassim Atta said. "There has been
support for terrorist groups from outside Iraq, from people who don't want
to see the political process be a success."