Latest deadly attacks in Iraq draw condemnation from Secretary-General

Urging Iraq and its people to resist any efforts to promote sectarian violence, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today condemned the latest deadly attacks in the continuing bloodshed that has engulfed the country.

More than 100 people were killed yesterday in a series of attacks, which included the coordinated bombing of a crowded market in the capital, Baghdad, Mr. Ban’s spokesperson said in a statement.

“These brutal crimes came on the anniversary of the heinous bombing of the Holy Shrine in Samarra, which was also aimed at escalating sectarian violence,” the statement added.

“The Secretary-General calls on the Iraqi authorities and the Iraqi people to resist attempts to foment sectarian violence.”

Last month, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative Ashraf Qazi called on Iraq’s leaders and citizens to exhibit fresh and far-sighted thinking in the face of the violence and bloodshed “that is tearing their society to pieces.”

Citing such grim daily indicators as 100 people being killed, hundreds wounded and thousands displaced, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) senior operations manager Andrew Harper also warned that Iraq’s humanitarian crisis could last for years, with ramifications extending far beyond its borders.