15 | August | 2013 | Impressions

. By T.V. Antony Raj

The United States pulled its combat troops from Iraqi cities and towns nearly two months ago and leaving security in the hands of the Iraqis. Since then Iraqi security forces have beefing up security with a maze of blast walls and checkpoint but accomplishing hardly anything more than creating ever-more frustrating traffic jams.

Baghdad is a maze of blast walls and checkpoints, with Iraqi security forces “beefing up” security but hardly accomplishing anything more than creating ever-more frustrating traffic jams. The government trumpets whenever it manages to diffuse bombs, still the unpleasant fact is that they are just unable stop the violence.

Last July was the deadliest month in Iraq in the last five years with 1,057 Iraqis killed and another 2,326 wounded in acts of terrorism and violence.

And on Saturday, August 10th, bombings in Iraq left 64 people killed and 190 wounded according to two Interior Ministry officials reported CNN. The explosions mostly went off in predominantly Shiite areas — at coffee shops, markets and bus stops.

Yesterday, August 15, 2013, Iraq’s capital was rocked by a series of six bombings within one hour. An official of the Iraqi Interior Ministry said that at least 95 people were killed and 563 wounded.

CNN reports :

In one attack, a truck bomb exploded outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The blast blew through the front of the building, sending some vehicles flying and leaving others in mangled twists of metal in the area, which is just outside the restricted International Zone, also known as the Green Zone. Nearby, Iraqi security forces stood with shocked expressions as ambulances screamed past.

Another truck bomb went off outside the Ministry of Finance building.

In central Baghdad, a roadside bomb exploded on Kifa Street, and another bomb exploded in the Salhiya neighborhood, where on Tuesday security forces had avoided injuries by successfully defusing a truck bomb. Wednesday’s other two bombs exploded in eastern Baghdad’s Beirut Square, officials said.

“The terrorism attacks that took place today require, without a doubt, the re-evaluation of our plans and our security mechanisms to face the challenges of terrorism,” Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said in a written statement.

U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Chris Hill and Gen. Ray Odierno, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, issued a joint statement condemning the bombings.

“The horrific injuries and loss of life witnessed in Baghdad today are terrorist attacks that serve no legitimate purpose,” they said.

The attacks “will not deter Iraqis from continuing their efforts to build a peaceful and prosperous society and engage the international community, nor will they weaken our resolve to help them in their efforts,” they added.

Two people believed to be connected to the bombings have been arrested, an official with the Iraqi army told CNN.

The two suspects were driving in a car rigged with explosives before they were arrested by Iraqi Security Forces, the official said.

The two suspects were believed to be al Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders, the official said.

The United States pulled its combat troops from Iraqi cities and towns on June 30, leaving security responsibilities to the Iraqis. The U.S. military remains in a training and advisory capacity in those areas and continues to conduct combat operations outside cities and towns.

Since then, al-Maliki has ordered his government to remove the concrete blast walls that line Baghdad’s streets and surround whole neighborhoods.

The order does not cover the Green Zone — which houses Iraqi government buildings and the U.S. Embassy — or military installations, government institutions, hotels and some private companies.

The government has also removed some checkpoints, including one on the road where the bombing near the Ministry of Foreign Affairs occurred. That checkpoint had contained bomb-detection equipment.

More photos of Baghdad’s deadly day on CNN »