Al-Qaeda claims wave of Iraq attacks that killed 52
Purchase this article for republication
Buy SPH photos
Residents gather at the site of a car bomb attack in the Al-Mashtal district in Baghdad on March 19, 2013. Al-Qaeda's Iraqi affiliate said it was behind a wave of attacks that killed 52 people and wounded more than 220, in a statement posted on jihadist Internet forums on Wednesday, Feb 20, 2013. -- FILE PHOTO: REUTERS
BAGHDAD (AFP) - Al-Qaeda's Iraqi affiliate said it was behind a wave of attacks that killed 52 people and wounded more than 220, in a statement posted on jihadist Internet forums on Wednesday.
"What you received on Tuesday is ... the first stage that, God willing, will be followed by revenge for those whom you executed," the statement said.
At least 20 explosions and multiple shootings hit Iraq on Tuesday, many of them in Shiite neighbourhoods of Baghdad during morning rush hour.
The statement called the attacks a "quick response" to the Iraqi justice minister, who said on Monday that "nothing" would stop Iraq from carrying out controversial executions.
