An eye on al-Qaida

It is worrying that Iraq is experiencing the worst eruption of violence in recent years, with the number of people killed and wounded rising on a daily basis.

The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq said July was the deadliest month in the country for more than five years, as more than 1,000 Iraqis were killed in acts of terrorism and violence, and the death toll continues to rise.

On Monday, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, which is affiliated to al-Qaida, posted a statement in religious forums claiming responsibility for a wave of bombings on Saturday across Iraq that killed more than 60 people and injured more than 200.