The 23 February 2012 Iraq attacks were the fifth simultaneous wave of bombings to hit

Iraq Iraq, officially the Republic of Iraq, is a country in West Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to Iraq–Saudi Arabia border, the south, Turkey to Iraq–Turkey border, the north, Iran to Iran–Iraq border, the east, the Persian Gulf and ...

during the insurgency and the first such major assault since the US withdrawal at the end of 2011. At least 83 people were killed and more than 250 wounded in highly coordinated attacks spread out in least 15 cities - including at least 10 explosions in the capital

Baghdad Baghdad ( or ; , ) is the capital and List of largest cities of Iraq, largest city of Iraq, located along the Tigris in the central part of the country. With a population exceeding 7 million, it ranks among the List of largest cities in the A ...

that left 32 people dead. A number of shootings also took place, mostly aimed at police patrols and security installations around the city. The majority of the blasts appeared to specifically target

Shiite Shia Islam is the second-largest branch of Islam. It holds that Muhammad designated Ali ibn Abi Talib () as both his political successor (caliph) and as the spiritual leader of the Muslim community (imam). However, his right is understood ...

areas. Outside Baghdad attacks were spread out, including at least three car bombs around

Tikrit Tikrit ( ) is a city in Iraq, located northwest of Baghdad and southeast of Mosul on the Tigris River. It is the administrative center of the Saladin Governorate. In 2012, it had a population of approximately 160,000. Originally created as a f ...

that killed 12 and injured more than 50. Unidentified gunmen broke into a governing council building in Salman Baik east of Tikrit, shooting dead the leader of the administration and two policemen. Car bombs exploded near a school and two police stations in

Hilla Hillah ( ''al-Ḥillah''), also spelled Hilla, is a city in central Iraq. On the Hilla branch of the Euphrates River, it is south of Baghdad. The population was estimated to be about 455,700 in 2018. It is the capital of Babylon Province and is ...

, killing at least 3 and leaving scores injured. Similar attacks took place in

Baqubah Baqubah (; BGN: Ba‘qūbah; also spelled Baquba and Baqouba) is the capital of Iraq's Diyala Governorate. The city is located some to the northeast of Baghdad, on the Diyala River. In 2003 it had an estimated population of some 280,000 people. ...

Kirkuk Kirkuk (; ; ; ) is a major city in northern Iraq, serving as the capital of the Kirkuk Governorate. The city is home to a diverse population of Kurds, Iraqi Turkmen, Iraqi Turkmens and Arabs. Kirkuk sits on the ruins of the original Kirkuk Cit ...

Taji Taji or Al-Taji () is a rural town around 30 kilometers (18 mi) north of the city of Baghdad, within Baghdad Governorate and Salah ad Din Governorate.https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Taji,+Saladin+Governorate,+Iraq/@33.4950697,44.0776712,11 ...

Dujail Dujail (; alternate spelling: Ad Dujayl) is a town in Saladin Governorate, Iraq. It is about north of Baghdad. It was the site of the 1982 Dujail Massacre, in which between 142 and 148 people, including children, died.Mosul Mosul ( ; , , ; ; ; ) is a major city in northern Iraq, serving as the capital of Nineveh Governorate. It is the second largest city in Iraq overall after the capital Baghdad. Situated on the banks of Tigris, the city encloses the ruins of the ...

Perpetrators

The umbrella group

Islamic State of Iraq The Islamic State of Iraq (ISI; ') was a Salafi jihadist militant organization that fought the forces of the U.S.-led coalition during the Iraqi insurgency. The organization aimed to overthrow the Iraqi federal government and establish an ...

claimed responsibility for the bombings two days later and promised further bloodshed as it targets Shiites across Iraq. The country was set to host the postponed

Arab League Summit The Arab League (, ' ), officially the League of Arab States (, '), is a regional organization in the Arab world. The Arab League was formed in Cairo on 22 March 1945, initially with seven members: Egypt, Iraq, Transjordan, Lebanon, Saudi ...

on March 29 in the midst of a surge of violence and a rise in civilian and security casualties since the withdrawal of US forces.

References

2012 murders in Iraq Car and truck bombings in Iraq Islamic terrorist incidents in 2012 Mass murder in 2012 School bombings in Iraq Spree shootings in Iraq Suicide bombings in Iraq Terrorist incidents in Iraq in 2012 Violence against Shia Muslims in Iraq Terrorist incidents in Baghdad in the 2010s February 2012 in Iraq 2012 in Baghdad Military history of Hillah Improvised explosive device bombings in Mosul Terrorist incidents in Kirkuk History of Diyala Governorate History of Saladin Governorate Bombings in the Iraqi insurgency (2011–2013) Military history of Tikrit History of Baghdad Governorate 21st century in Mosul February 2012 crimes in Asia 21st century in Kirkuk Attacks on schools in 2012 2012 building bombings {{baghdad-stub

Perpetrators

See also

References