“These are despicable and brutal acts of violence, particularly in such sensitive areas as Kirkuk,” said Martin Kobler, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).

A series of car bombs near Shia Muslim mosques targeting worshippers attending Friday prayers have killed at least 18 people and injured more than 100, according to Al Jazeera.

The blasts on Friday, struck within an hour of each other in the Baghdad neighbourhoods of Binook, Qahira, Zafraniyah and Jihad, as well as in an area of the northern city of Kirkuk, the news agency added.

“These acts will not undermine the true and deep believe in peaceful coexistence among the people of the symbolic province of Kirkuk,” Mr. Kobler added.

No group immediately has claimed responsibility for the attacks, but Sunni Muslim fighters linked to al-Qaeda frequently target Shia Muslims.

The latest blasts come just days after the 10th anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq in, which tousted the regime of Saddam Hussein.

Mr. Kobler extended his deep sympathy and sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to those who were injured.

The court also tried his secretary and son-in-law Ahmed Qahtan in absentia and sentenced him to death.
 
Iraq’s Shiite-led government has accused al-Hashemi of being involved in 150 bombings, assassinations and other attacks from 2005 to 2011 most of which were allegedly carried out by his bodyguards and other employees. Al-Hashemi has claimed that his bodyguards were likely tortured or otherwise coerced into testifying against him.

Interpol issued a “red notice” for al-Hashimi in May, “on suspicion of guiding and financing terrorist attacks in the country.” The notice calls on the 190 countries that belong to the international police organization to help locate and arrest him, at the request of the Iraqi authorities. No such action has been taken to arrest him since the notice was issued four months ago. Al-Hashimi is now living in Turkey.  Before that, he lived in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region and also traveled to Saudi Arabia and Qatar at the invitation of those governments.

Meanwhile, suspected al-Qaeda fighters and other armed groups have killed at least 73 people in a wave of attacks in Iraq, accoridng to Al Jazeera.  

After the fall of Sunni dictator Saddam Hussein and the rise of Iraq’s Shi’ite majority to power, many Iraqi Sunnis feel they have been sidelined.