UN envoy condemns deadly Iraq attacks

“The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General for Iraq (SRSG), Mr. Martin Kobler, condemns in the strongest terms the series of suicide attacks, car bombings and other violent acts that have killed and injured hundreds of innocent people,” the UN mission in Baghdad said in a statement published on its website on Sunday.

Kobler, who heads the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), called on Iraqis "not to let violence prevail and to work together toward peace and dialogue, the only sustainable solution," according to the statement.

He described the attacks targeting Muslims praying in mosques or gathering after breaking their fast during the holy month of Ramadan as senseless.

"The holy month of Ramadan should be a time for spirituality and forgiveness instead of increasing violence and division," Kobler said in the statement.

"I am deeply saddened that my last words as the SRSG for Iraq have to be linked to violence and criminal acts," Kobler said.

At least 18 people were killed and several others injured in separate attacks across Iraq on Sunday, a day after 12 car bombs exploded in Baghdad’s predominantly Shia districts, killing dozens of people breaking their Ramadan fast.

The incidents are the latest in a string of attacks across Iraq that have left more than 2,800 people dead since the beginning of April.

In the first 12 days of Ramadan, about 340 people have lost their lives in violence across Iraq.

HK