Moscow: Violence in Iraq directly linked to events in Syria

Recent terror attacks in Iraq have been "directly linked" to the events in neighboring Syria, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Monday. In a statement, the ministry reaffirmed its solidarity with the Iraqi leadership and people in countering terror threats. "It is important to strike the extremists back in their attempt to increase tension among different political and ethnic-confessional groups in the country," it said. Moscow condemned the "inhumane crimes" which resulted in the death of scores of innocent people. More than 70 people were killed and over 120 wounded in Baghdad in the latest string of bombings over the weekend. The UN Assistance Mission for Iraq said earlier this month that almost 5,000 civilians were killed and 12,000 others injured in Iraq from January to August this year.