Secretary-General ‘appalled’ by deadly Baghdad bombings

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed his outrage at the bombings which struck two popular pet markets in the Iraqi capital today, reportedly leaving more than 70 dead and many more wounded.

Mr. Ban is “appalled” by the attacks, which are the deadliest in the city in many months and “particularly callous in targeting innocent civilians,” according to a statement issued by his spokesperson.

“He hopes that Iraqi leaders will work together in a spirit of national reconciliation to prevent further violence and sustain the recent improvements that have been made on the security front,” the statement added.

Also today, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Iraq, Staffan de Mistura, described the double bombings as “a heinous crime that targeted innocent civilians, and deserves universal condemnation.”

Systematic or widespread attacks against a civilian population are tantamount to crimes against humanity, he said.