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 | Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. |