BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Suicide bombers attacked three hotels used by foreigners in the heart of Baghdad yesterday, killing at least 36 people and raising questions about government pledges to keep Iraqis safe before a March election.
The car bombs wounded at least 71 people as Iraq executed the man known as “Chemical Ali” under Saddam Hussein for his use of poison gas against minority Kurds.
The hanging of Ali Hassan al-Majeed for crimes against humanity was a high-profile step in the Shi’ite-led government’s prosecution of Saddam’s Sunni-dominated regime and was likely to fan controversy six weeks before the March 7 parliamentary poll.
The latest in a series of major attacks in Baghdad could be a political setback for Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, who has built his reputation on pulling Iraq out of war.
