May 15, 2013: Multiple bombings kill almost 500 people in Iraq

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS, IRAQ – One terrorist attack is bad enough: what is the impact when they go on for DAYS?

I have often read that the atmosphere (literally and figuratively!) in the vicinity of a terrorist attack is somewhat surreal. There is of course the attack itself which can take several forms: knife attack, a vehicle barreling down the street, a car bomb, etc. Right after the immediate ‘event’ there is inevitably a lull, an uncanny silence. Then the wailing begins as does the emergency response.

What then to think of a series of terrorist attacks transpire on consecutive days and cause hundreds of casualties?

Beginning on this day in 2013

A series of deadly bombings and shootings struck the central and northern parts of Iraq killing at least 449 people and injuring 732 others. The attacks included:

• In Baghdad, a burning car in the Kadhimiya district drew firefighters to a bomb that killed two and wounded nine;
• Seven people were killed and 33 others were wounded in a bombing near a Sadr City bus stop;
• On May 16 in Kirkuk, twelve people were killed and 36 wounded in a suicide blast at a memorial for the victims of an attack the day before. A separate bomb killed two children;
• On May 18 at least 40 people were killed and 45 more were wounded in mostly small attacks across Iraq; and
• On May 20 coordinated bombing attacks resumed and in all at least 133 people were killed and 283 more were wounded: some of the dead and wounded were Iranian pilgrims.

It proved hard to determine which group (or better stated groups) was behind the actions: it was most likely a combination of Shia and Sunni groups. Even in Iraq, which has been the locus of far too much terrorism over the past two decades, this week was particularly bad. It is hard to imagine having to live through a whole week of such carnage.

Read More Today in Terrorism