Iraq attacks kill 9 as 2013 toll tops 6200

Attacks in mostly-Sunni Arab areas of Baghdad as well as northern and western Iraq killed at least nine people on Tuesday, the latest in a months-long nationwide surge in bloodletting. The rise in violence, which has killed more than 6,200 people this year, has prompted the authorities to appeal for international help in combating militancy ahead of general elections due in April. Officials have blamed a resurgent Al-Qaeda emboldened by the civil war raging in neighbouring Syria, but the government has itself faced criticism for not doing enough to address the concerns of Iraq's disaffected Sunni Arab minority. Bombings on Tuesday hit west Baghdad, as well as the predominantly Sunni cities of Abu Ghraib, Mosul and Tarmiyah. In the deadliest attack, twin roadside bombs exploded near municipal offices in Tarmiyah, a town just north of Baghdad that has seen multiple deadly attacks in recent weeks. When onlookers gathered at the scene, two suicide bombers blew themselves up. Overall, seven people were killed and 15 wounded, two security officials said. Violence elsewhere in Iraq left two people dead and more than a dozen wounded, according to security and medical officials. The authorities have made some concessions aimed at placating Sunnis, including freeing prisoners and raising the salaries of anti-Al-Qaeda Sahwa fighters. But daily attacks have shown no sign of abating. Diplomats, analysts and human rights groups say the government is not doing enough to address disquiet among Sunnis over what they see as mistreatment at the hands of the Shiite-led authorities. Source: AFP