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ISIS Retaliates for Losing Fallujah by Killing over 200 Civilians in Baghdad | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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People gather at the site of a suicide car bomb in the Karrada shopping area, in Baghdad, Iraq July 3, 2016. REUTERS/Khalid al Mousily TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY


Baghdad – Following terrorist blasts in packed Karrada neighborhood on Saturday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi pledged to avenge the terrorist groups. Meanwhile, Parliamentary Security and Defense Committee challenged Abadi to set a firm plan to maintain security within the capital.

In one of the deadliest blasts that struck Iraq, over 213 persons were killed and over 200 injured in Karrada neighborhood in Baghdad.

ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack that was executed by its member Abu Maha al-Iraqi who detonated his car in a shopping mall.

After examining the blast site, Abadi issued a statement vowing to avenge the terrorist groups that executed the attack.

Yet, Parliamentary Security and Defense Committee had expressed its anger over the poor security measures that the government takes inside the capital. The committee commented that the situation is not stable with terrorists attacking any area they want.

Member of the Parliamentary Security and Defense Committee Mohammed al-Karbouli wondered what use would it be for Abadi to visit the blast’s site.

Karbouli told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that Abadi wants to use the success in Fallujah to cover the failures of his government. He added that the government failed in maintaining Baghdad’s security and there is a clear conflict of interests between ministries of defense and interior in the face of armed factions.

According to Karbouli, it is the Iraqi citizen who is paying the price of corruption and lack of right intel.

Security expert specialized in security affairs armed groups Hisham al-Hashimi told Asharq al-Awsat that such attacks was more than expected. He added that security forces warned that ISIS might want to revenge for its failure in Fallujah.

Hashimi explained that about quarter of the Iraqi people reside in Baghdad, yet clearly there is no security and control over the city. He added that there has been no change in the security plans other than causing traffic in the streets.

After Abadi’s short visit to the blast site, Iraqis protested at the blast location to express their anger over the lack of security measures. They even took it to social networks where many expressed their resentment over the government.