Bomb blasts kill at least 26 in BaghdadJanuary 20, 2014 - 22:25 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - At least 26 people have been killed Monday, Jan 20, in a series of bomb blasts across the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, police and medics say, according to BBC News. Some 60 people may have also been wounded in the explosions. The deadliest single attack, in which seven people died, struck a busy market in the south of the city. In an extended surge of sectarian violence, 759 people died in December alone. More than 650 have died so far in January. The violence has not reached this level since 2007, at the peak of sectarian conflict. No group claimed immediate responsibility for Monday's attacks but previous similar bombings have been widely blamed on Sunni insurgents seeking to undermine the Shia-led government of Nouri Maliki. However, two of Monday's blasts - which reportedly numbered between five and seven - targeted Sunni districts. Shia districts in Jadida, Hurriya and Bayaa were among those hit. The bomb attacks come against the background of continuing violence in the western province of Anbar, where al Qaeda-linked militants control the city of Falluja and parts of Ramadi. Fighting was again reported around the two cities on Monday. More than 70 people were killed in bomb blasts in central Iraq, including the capital, on Jan 15. Photo: PressTV Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |