Al-Qaeda in Iraq Takes Credit for New Wave of Bloodshed

Al-Qaeda's Iraq affiliate took credit yesterday for the string of bombings and shootings across the country on Monday that killed 116 and wounded 300, reports Reuters. The Islamic State of Iraq posted a statement on its website saying the attacks —the deadliest since the US pullout last December—were the start of a "new stage of jihad," a new campaign called "Destroying the Walls." "The Ministry of War has mobilized its sons and mujahedeen brigades and their military groups in a new blessed foray in the holy month of Ramadan," said the group's statement. (More al-Qaeda in Iraq stories.)