By Bobby Rajabi
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

BAGHDAD, Iraq – On December 8 five car bombings took place near government institutions in Baghdad. The car bombings killed one hundred twenty seven individuals, including many women and children. More than four hundred people were wounded in the attacks. This incident was the third coordinated attack in Baghdad since August. The attacks came after Iraqi officials agreed after months of negotiations to set a date in March for a national election.

At least three of the five bombs were set off by suicide attackers. The first bomb went off at 10:25 in central Baghdad and appeared to be targeting a police patrol. The four others followed minutes later. The bombings struck a courthouse, two colleges, a mosque and a bank. The chaos forced the locking down of entire neighborhoods, overwhelming of police and rescue workers, and filling of hospitals with the wounded.

The attacks appeared to be intended the severely damage the government’s basic ability to function. Two government institutions struck on Tuesday, the Finance Ministry and an appeals court, had recently relocated to new buildings after attacks destroyed their old offices in August and October.

The new attacks undermined the Iraqi government’s claims of improved security. Many victims of the attacks blamed the Iraqi army and police force for what took place. The Iraqi security force has been under increased scrutiny as they have taken charge of security as American forces have withdrawn from cities. Victims also linked the attacks to the lengthy political battle over the election. Candidates in the election, in turn, blamed security forces and the government for failing to protect the “heart of Baghdad.”

The attacks follow the patern of multiple bombings in the Iraqi capital. This incident marked the worst attack in Iraq since a twin suicide bombing that killed on hundred fifty five people and destroyed three government agencies in October. Also, in August, two suicide car bombs killed one hundred twenty individuals when then struck the Finance and Foreign Ministries. The United States, UN, Arab League and United Kingdom led and international condemnation of the  most recent bombings. United Nations chief Ban Ki-Moon called the bombings “horrendous” and “unacceptable.”

For more information, please see:

AFP – 127 Killed in Spate of Baghdad Blasts – 8 December 2009

Al Jazeera – Scores dead in Iraq Bomb Blasts – 8 December 2009

BBC – Baghdad Car Bombs Cause Carnage – 8 December 2009

New York Times – Election Day Set in Iraq as Bombs Kill Scores – 8 December 2009