At least 100 people were killed in the attacks on May 11, 2016 [Xinhua]
The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, or ISIS) has claimed responsibility for three bomb attacks in Shia and Sunni neighborhoods in the capital Baghdad Wednesday.
At least 100 people, mostly civilians were killed in car bomb and suicide attacks in Sadr City, Jamia District, and Khadhmiya.
Witnesses said the streets ran red with blood among destroyed cars and shops as medical crews collected body parts for burial.
The devastating attacks come as the Iraqi government appears locked down in political infighting.
In late April, supporters of cleric Muqtada Sadr stormed parliament in the Green Zone and demanded corrupt politicians be ousted.
They demanded that a new cabinet be formed primarily with the task of tackling corruption and providing basic services to the populace. It must be non-sectarian, they say, and be comprised of technocrats who can rebuild the country.
However, Iraqi legislators have so far been unable to agree to such a cabinet leaving the government in virtual deadlock.
Amid calls for his resignation from different political factions, including leading Shia pundits, Prime Minister Haide Abadi has been unable to bridge the divide.
Sadr supporters say if he cannot put together a new cabinet they will call for his ouster, too.
Meanwhile, the Iraqi military has come under national and international pressure to lift the siege of the mostly Sunni city of Fallujah, occupied by ISIL forces.
For weeks, humanitarian organizations have decried the death of women and children due to starvation and lack of medical treatment as the Iraqi army besieges the city and shells ISIL positions.
A number of Iraqi parliamentarians are urging Abadi to force the military to end the siege and allow emergency food and medicines to starving families.
The BRICS Post with inputs from Agencies.
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