Foreign Minister Brende condemns attack in Iraq
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Published under: Solberg's Government
Publisher: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press release | Date: 13/08/2015 | Last updated: 17/08/2015
'I strongly condemn today's terrorist attack on a market in Baghdad. The attack is a cowardly and ruthless act of violence, and our thoughts are with all those who were injured and the families of those who lost their lives,' said Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende.
At least 76 people were killed and more than 200 injured by the blast from a truck bomb in the Jameela market in Sadr City in northeastern Baghdad. The terrorist organisation ISIL has said that it was behind the bombing, and has issued a statement that it was targeting Iraqi forces and Shia militia. ISIL has recently claimed responsibility for several terrorist attacks within Iraq and outside its borders in which many people have lost their lives.
'This act of terror once again highlights the importance of fighting ISIL. It also shows how crucial it is that the international community continues to stand together and intensifies cooperation on combating terrorism and violent extremism,' Mr Brende said.
During the past week there have been reports of ISIL using chemical weapons in Iraq, and there are new reports today that such weapons have been used in an attack on Kurdish forces.