The death toll of the suicide bombings in north Iraq rose to about 70, as US and Kurdish officials said the twin attacks bore the hallmarks of Islamic extremists and could be revenge for the arrest of a senior Al-Qaeda operative. Black flags lined the streets across the northern Kurdish region as thousands of Kurds joined a funeral cortege for Mahdi Koshnaw, a provincial governor who died in the attack. Hospital officials in Arbil, 350 kilometres (220 miles) north of Baghdad, said Tuesday the death toll stood at 68. But the KDP newspaper Khabat said at least 71 people died, listing their names. Leaders of the two Kurdish political groups targeted by Sunday’s twin blasts and coalition officials in Iraq say the attacks could be the work of the extremist Ansar al-Islam. Full Story
About OODA Analyst
OODA is comprised of a unique team of international experts capable of providing advanced intelligence and analysis, strategy and planning support, risk and threat management, training, decision support, crisis response, and security services to global corporations and governments.