BAGHDAD: Armed militias went on a rampage killing scores of people in what was one of the bloodiest weekends in Iraq since the US-backed prime minister Nuri al-Maliki took charge.
Sectarian violence broke out along with various bombing incidents in some of the northern and south western parts of Iraq. Official figures said about 70 Iraqis and 5 US soldiers were killed. About 30 bodies were recovered from the capital and as many from Balad town, 50 miles north of here. The bombings were carried out by death squad members using car bombs.
The spurt in violence forced the prime minister to cancel a conference slated for the coming weekend. Few had hopes from the conference which aimed at bringing about reconciliation between the two warring factions of the Iraqi people. Saleh al-Mutlaq, chairman of the Iraqi National Dialogue party said the Shiite party was trying to gain control of southern Iraq.
Al-Mutlaq also lashed out against the National Assembly for its focus on implementing federalism at a time when it should try to control the divisive forces and the violence on the streets. A bill for federal law was passed last week, although the Iraqi Accord Front - the main Sunni party boycotted the vote. He also said that the efforts of the government smacked of support for a few powerful Kurdish families.
The violence of the last few days included revenge killings where entire families were killed. In certain cases, people were dragged out of cars and shot dead. Police patrols were also targeted in some attacks. Two police posts in Kirkuk, northern Iraq, were targeted in bomb attacks.
Deputy Interior Minister Hala Shaker was also targeted by a group of insurgents yesterday. She escaped but a few of her bodyguards were killed in what is seen as assassination attempt.
In a separate incident, an umbrella group of insurgents released its statement on video claiming to have established an Islamic state in six separate Iraqi provinces. The organization named Mutayibeen Coalition claimed it now had power over the provinces in a region spanning northern Baghdad and much of Kirkuk, an area totaling about 250kms. The Al Qaeda is believed to be a part of this organization.
US casualties from Friday through Sunday included 3 Marines and 4 soldiers.
