The death toll in twin suicide bombings in Iraq climbed to at least 155, with the horrific explosions aimed at rattling public confidence in the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s government ahead of upcoming elections.
With the United States withdrawing from Iraq, and voting scheduled for January, groups affiliated with al Qaeda appear to be targeting symbols of the government’s authority, like the Justice Ministry and other government buildings destroyed in the Sunday bombings.
The January elections will seat a new parliament in Iraq, and Maliki has made the country’s security the center of his party’s election hopes.
“The cowardly acts of terrorism which occurred today, must not weaken the resolution of Iraqis to continue their journey and to fight the followers of the fallen regime, the Baathists and al Qaeda,” Maliki said in a press statement. President Obama said in a statement that America “will stand with Iraq’s people and government as a close friend and partner as Iraqis prepare for elections early next year.”
