In the latest wave of violence to strike the capital, Baghdad, at least 30 people have reportedly been killed in a series of car bombings on Saturday. The attacks came at the end of the day-long fast Muslims are observing during the month of Ramadan.

Martin Kobler, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), condemned “in the strongest terms” these attacks as well as other violent acts that have killed and injured hundreds of innocent people.

“These criminal acts targeting Muslims praying in mosques or gathering after breaking their fast are senseless. The holy month of Ramadan should be a time for spirituality and forgiveness, instead of increasing violence and division,” he stated.

“I am deeply saddened that my last words as the SRSG for Iraq have to be linked to violence and criminal acts,” he added. “I call on all Iraqis not to let violence prevail and to work together toward peace and dialogue, the only sustainable solution.”

Last week, in his final briefing to the Security Council as the UN envoy for Iraq, Mr. Kobler noted an “alarming” scale of renewed violence in the country during the latest four months, with nearly 3,000 people killed and over 7,000 more wounded.

He added that Iraq’s transition towards democracy and prosperity is in a crucial phase, and warned that with violence spiking, perpetrators are taking advantage of the instability caused by the ongoing political stalemate and the crisis in neighbouring Syria.

Mr. Kobler, a German national, will soon take up his new post as the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and head of the UN peacekeeping mission there.

“I am deeply shocked and utterly dismayed by the despicable attacks across Iraq today that have claimed the lives of scores of Iraqis, including many pilgrims, and have injured dozens more,” the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), Martin Kobler, said in a news release.

“The scale of the violence is disturbing – I urgently appeal to the government to address the root causes of the violence and terrorism that are causing so much suffering and pain to the Iraqi people,” he added.

According to media reports, a wave of bombings across Iraq yesterday killed dozens and wounded hundreds; with many of those killed in the capital, Baghdad, having gathered for a Shia religious festival.

Kobler extended his condolences to the families of those who were killed and his wishes for the speedy recovery of those who were hurt.

Separately, the Special Representative travelled to Erbil and Sulaymaniyah in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region on Tuesday, and discussed the current political situation in Iraq with President Jalal Talabani and the President of the Kurdistan Region, Masoud Barzani.

In his meetings, Martin Kobler encouraged all parties in Iraq to engage in inclusive dialogue and to resolve their differences in accordance with the constitution. “He stressed to his interlocutors that UNAMI stands ready to assist and facilitate. In addition, he expressed his concern that the current political stalemate is diverting attention from pressing economic, social and security issues,” UNAMI said in a news release.