(Newser)
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Thirteen cities across Iraq suffered bombings and shootings today as the country experienced its deadliest day since US troops left in December. Some 93 people were killed in the attacks, which all occurred in a span of a few hours and appeared coordinated, the AP reports. The deadliest attack occurred in the Sunni town of Taji, where bombs exploded near five houses; a suicide bomber then detonated his explosives belt in the crowd of police who rushed to help, bringing the death toll there to 41.
Meanwhile, three cars full of gunmen opened fire on an Iraqi army base, killing 13 soldiers before fleeing. A car explosion killed 16 in Sadr City, a Shiite area of Baghdad, near a government building. Most of the attacks targeted government and security offices. Just days ago, the leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq said the group was retaking areas it had exited while US troops were in the country. "The majority of the Sunnis in Iraq support al-Qaeda and are waiting for its return," Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi said on a militant website last weekend.
