Al Qaeda claims Baghdad blast

Rome, Aug 21 (IANS/AKI) The Al Qaeda terror network has claimed responsibility for a suicide blast at an army recruitment centre in Baghdad that killed at least 59 people and wounded over 100.

In a message posted on Islamist websites, the Al Qaeda network in Iraq (Islamic State of Iraq) said Tuesday’s bombing targeted Shias and “apostates”.

“We struck at a group of Shias and apostates who sold their faith for money and are a tool in the war on Iraqi Sunnis,” said the statement.

It said it was “farcical” to say the capital was secure and that any measures put in place were no obstacle to its fighters.

After the bombing, which took place during the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, Iraq’s two main political groups broke off talks on the formation of a government.

The negotiations have spluttered on since March elections without success, creating a political vacuum. It is feared militants are exploiting this vacuum in a bid to destabilise Iraq, where US combat operations end this month.

The head of security in Baghdad, Qassim Atta, earlier this week said he believed Tuesday’s blast was the work of Al Qaeda.

–IANS/AKI