Iran censures terrorist attack in central Iraq

Iran has strongly condemned the recent car bombing in the central Iraqi province of Babil, and urged collective efforts from all members of the international community to counter the global threat.

On Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham deplored the continuation of such terrorist attacks in Iraq and extended her sympathy to the Iraqi government and nation.

The senior Iranian official also slammed the ominous phenomenon of terrorism as a global threat, and expressed hope that the international community would make concerted efforts to fight the menace comprehensively and sincerely.

Thirty-nine people were killed and 121 others injured on Sunday in a car bomb explosion, which targeted a police checkpoint in the city of Hillah, situated about 100 kilometers (62 miles) south of Baghdad.

Iraq has seen a spike in violence since last April. The UN says more than 8,860 people were killed in attacks in 2013. Over 1,500 people also died in similar incidents in January and February of this year alone.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said on March 8 that Saudi Arabia and Qatar are fueling militancy in Iraq.

In an interview with France 24 news network, Maliki said the two countries have effectively declared war on Iraq by inciting sectarian violence in the country.

He also blamed neighboring Arab states for destabilizing Iraq by supporting al-Qaeda-linked militant groups operating in the country.

The Iraqi prime minister noted that Riyadh and Doha have been providing political, financial and media support to militant groups and “buying weapons for the benefit of these terrorist organizations.”