13 June 2012 Iraq attacks

On 13 June 2012, a series of simultaneous bombings and shootings occurred at seven different locations across Iraq, killing 93 people and wounding more than 300 others. The attacks came two days after a mortar strike near the Moussa al-Kadhim shrine in Baghdad killed six people and injured almost 40, prompting authorities to increase security ahead of large crowds of Shi'ite pilgrims expected in the capital to commemorate the death of the imam.

Most of the attacks were car bombings that appeared to primarily target the gathered pilgrims. The first bomb exploded in Taji, a town north of Baghdad, aimed at a group of pilgrims. This was followed by four blasts across Baghdad, with a total of ten blasts reported in the Baghdad area; an eyewitness said the bombs were aimed at pilgrims but also killed people working nearby. In Hilla, two bombs appeared to target security forces, with a car bomb detonated at a restaurant frequented by police as a minibus of officers arrived, killing 22 people and wounding 38. An eyewitness described the scene as marked by "sirens, and screams of wounded people."

In Kirkuk, three bombs exploded, including one targeting the headquarters of Kurdish President Massoud Barzani, killing a civilian. Two car bombs exploded near-simultaneously in Balad, north of Baghdad, killing seven pilgrims and injuring 34 others. Additional bombings were reported in Mosul and Karbala. In Baghdad's Saidiyah district, three federal policemen were shot dead by unidentified gunmen.

There were no immediate claims of responsibility, though reports suggested involvement by the Islamic State of Iraq given the apparent focus on Shi'ite pilgrims.

Iraqi officials condemned the attacks as an attempt to incite sectarian conflict. Parliament speaker Usama al-Nujayfi described them as a "move to provoke sectarian strife," while Baghdad military command spokesperson Dhia al-Wakeel said Iraqis would not be drawn into sectarian conflict. A representative of the Sunni-majority Iraqiya bloc, Abdul-Sataar al-Jumaili, linked the violence to the country's political crisis.

Internationally, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq head Martin Kobler expressed shock and urged the government to address root causes of violence, while UNAMI warned that political stalemate was diverting attention from pressing issues. Russia's Foreign Ministry condemned the attacks, noting civilian casualties including women and children. The UK's Minister for the Middle East, Alistair Burt, condemned the "cowardly attacks" and urged Iraqi political blocs to focus on security and stability. The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad also condemned the attacks and pledged support for bringing perpetrators to justice.