Islamic State of Iraq, Al Qaeda group, claims Iraq attacks

GlobalPost

The group "Islamic State of Iraq," an Al-Qaeda affiliate, today posted a message on a militant website claiming responsibility for a spate of attacks in Iraq on Monday that killed over 100 people, reported the Associated Press

The group described the assaults as a "blessed foray" kicking off their new "Breaking the Walls" campaign aimed at rebuilding tribal strength in a bid to retake Sunni-held areas, said AP.

More from GlobalPost: Iraq: 107 dead in bombing, shooting attacks

The message also included a call for a "new stage of jihad," said Reuters

Monday's attacks, which took place in over a dozen locations around the country, left some 300 people wounded, said Reuters.

BBC News said security forces appeared to be a special target. 

US troops withdrew from Iraq in December, and Monday's violence — the deadliest seen in Iraq in over two years — reflects a growing challenge for local forces trying to maintain security. 

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