In Iraq, a coordinated series of terrorist bombing attacks in 19 towns and cities killed more than 100 people and injured about 200 on July 23. During the month of July, nationwide, over 300 people died and more than 600 were injured, making it the worst month for casualties since 2010.
Security forces and government buildings were the main targets in Baghdad, Taji, Kirkuk, Mosul and Diyala. Sectarian violence has been rising in recent months, and al-Qaeda has declared a new offensive to retake areas from which they had pulled back prior to the US troop withdrawal in December 2011.