Iraq's al-Qaida claims responsibility for deadly attacks![]() April 20, 2012 - 12:04 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Iraq's al-Qaida branch has claimed responsibility for a series of attacks that killed dozens in Baghdad and across the country the day before, The Associated Press reported. The Islamic State of Iraq says it targeted security forces and government officials in "response to the campaign of detaining, torture, embargo and confiscation of lands of Sunni people, especially in Baghdad and its outskirts." The claim was posted on militant websites early Friday. Al-Qaida says the Thursday morning wave of attacks that struck 10 cities across Iraq, killing at least 30 and wounding 117 people, is just the beginning of what will be a prolonged series of attacks. Al-Qaida and other Sunni militants have stepped up attacks on Shiites, raising concern of a new surge in sectarian violence. ![]() ![]() Azerbaijani authorities report that they have already resettled 3,000 people in the Nagorno-Karabakh town of Stepanakert. On June 10, Azerbaijani President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev will leave for Turkey on a working visit. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. ![]() ![]() Partner news | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |