Deadly bombings show Iraq's fragile political process, security situation

by Xinhua Writer Li Laifang

Sunday's deadly car bombings in Iraqi capital have raised grave concerns about the country's political process and the fragility of its security situation after years of war and violence.

The three coordinated car bombs struck near the Iranian embassy, Egyptian consulate and house of German ambassador in downtown Baghdad at around 11 a.m. (0800 GMT) on Sunday, leaving at least 30 dead and more than 200 wounded.

It is another nightmarish day for innocent civilians after they have undergone strings of similar attacks in August, October, December last year and January this year, which killed more than 400.

"The al-Qaida fingerprints are clear and the goal is to attract media attention and distort the general situation after the success of democracy in Iraq," Qassim Atta, spokesman of Baghdad Operations Command, told reporters after the violence.

This year is deemed crucial for all Iraqis, as a pivotal parliamentary election held on March 7 is expected to bring new leadership and hope for the nation.

However, the latest fatal attacks have cast a shadow over this fragile political process featuring sectarianism, and the country' s volatile security situation.

"I believe the political struggle and disputes among Iraqi factions give militant groups a chance to further distort the deteriorated political scene by carrying out deadly attacks," Sabah al-Sheikh, a professor of politics at Baghdad University, told Xinhua.


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