Many People Killed and Several Injured in a Series of Bomb Explosions in Iraq

At least 84 people were killed and score others were left injured in a series of bomb blasts and gunfire attacks throughout Iraq on 13 June 2012. The first explosion struck in downtown Hilla, nearly 100km South of Baghdad.

The deadly explosions, which seem to be the bloodiest since the 15 August 2011 attack which had claimed nearly 80 lives, came shortly ahead of Shiite religious festival on 15 June 2012. The bomb went off as tens of thousands of pilgrims headed to the capital to mark the death anniversary of Imam Kad-hum, the great grand son of Prophet Mohammed.

Iraq has been facing an unrelenting sectarian violence between the Shiites and Sunnis in the country. Sunnis, who are in the minority in the country, perceive the Shiite Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki is attempting to sideline them. The unceasing political crisis began in the country following an arrest warrant issued for the Sunni vice president, Tariq al-Hashimi, for allegedly being involved in terror activities and for funding attacks on government and security officials during Iraq's bloody insurgency. The move was viewed by the Sunnis as tantamount to segregate them.

Later Sunni leaders in alliance with Kurdish lawmakers tried to topple the Shiite prime minister, Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, through a vote of no confidence in the Parliament. However, Maliki, who has a massive support base among his Shiites followers, has successfully refuted the opposition’s attempt to topple his government.  Analysts believe the possibility of regime change in Iraq in foreseeable future to be vague.