Anti-Shiite Attacks in Iraq Kill at Least 68

Iraqi soldiers stand at the scene of a bomb attack in Sadr City, eastern of Baghdad, Iraq, 05 January 2012. EPA/BGNES

The death toll from the fierce string of bombings against Iraq's Shiites on Thursday has reached at least 68.

The deadliest explosion occurred in the southern city of Nasiriya where a suicide bomber detonated an explosive vest amid a crowd of pilgrims as they waited to pass through a check point, killing 45 people and injuring 78, international media report.

The attacks against pilgrims marching in the capital Baghdad and in southern Iraq took place just three weeks after American troops withdrew from the country.

January 5 has been the bloodiest day in Iraq since the attacks on August 15 2011, Iraqi officials have commented. On December 22, nearly 50 people died and more that 160 weer wounded wounded as coordinated bomb attacks hit the Iraqi capital.

No groups have claimed responsibility for Thursday's attacks, even though Al Qaeda in Iraq is believed to stand behind them.

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