Bloodiest Day of 2010 as Bombings Rock Baghdad

A massive coordinated attack involving bombings of several Shi’ite mosques and marketplaces in Shi’ite neighborhoods across Baghdad have left scores of people dead and several hundred wounded, and the nation wondering if they are just seeing the beginning of the rising violence.

The attacks were the third major spate of bombings in Baghdad this month alone, but also stand as the deadliest yet of 2010. Year over year death tolls have been on the rise over the past several months, and are only getting worse since the disputed March 7 election.

So far no one has claimed credit for the blasts but the government was quick to blame al-Qaeda, speculating that it was revenge for the killings of leaders announced earlier this week.

The deadliest attacks were in the Shi’ite stronghold of Sadr City, where worshipers were leaving mosques after Friday prayers when the attacks hit. All told some 69 people were killed across Baghdad.

But violence in other parts of Iraq, including seven bombs around Ramadi that killed one women and wounded 18 other people, were also reported. Those bombings were said to have targeted Iraqi police, but it is unclear if they were related.