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Wednesday, April 7, 2010    

Al Qaida moves to fill Iraq's vacuum of power with mass-casualty attacks

BAGHDAD — Al Qaida has exploited the political vacuum in Iraq with its resumption of mass-casualty strikes.   

Officials said Al Qaida in Iraq (AQI) has succeeded in a series of attacks in Baghdad amid the political vacuum after the March 7 parliamentary elections. They said the rising tension between the parties of Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki and his apparent successor, former Prime Minister Iyad Alawi, has distracted security forces from operations against AQI.

"They [AQI] want to push the country into chaos and sedition and to break the will of the Iraqi people," Al Maliki said.


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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."



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