Jihadists pushed toward Baghdad on Friday as US President Barack Obama said he was exploring all options to save Iraq’s security forces from collapse and US companies evacuated hundreds from a major air base.
The al-Qaida-inspired group that led the charge in capturing two key Sunni-dominated cities in Iraq this week vowed on Thursday to march on to Baghdad, raising fears about the Shiite-led government’s ability to slow the assault following the insurgents’ lightning gains.
A series of attacks in Iraq, mainly bombings targeting markets and commercial streets, killed 14 people Sunday, officials said.
A suicide bomber struck inside a Baghdad cafe overnight where customers were watching a football game on TV, killing at least 12 people and wounding 38, Iraqi officials said Thursday.
Multiple bombings rocked central Baghdad on Wednesday, striking mainly near the heavily fortified Green Zone where key government offices are located and killing at least 22 people, Iraqi officials said.
