On Wednesday a series of co-ordinated bombings during the rush hour in mainly Shia neighbourhoods of Baghdad killed more than 50 people and wounded dozens more. Violence has increased in recent months amid heightened tensions between Sunni and Shia Muslims. More than 4,000 civilians have been killed and 10,000 more have been wounded so far this year, with Baghdad province worst hit. In July 1,057 civilians were killed - making it the deadliest month in Iraq for years. The authorities have stepped up security operations in Baghdad but they seem unable to stop the growing intensity of violence now back to a level not seen for five years. No group has admitted carrying out the bombings, but many believe they have been carried out by Sunni militants. Correspondents say deep-rooted sectarian tensions have been aggravated  by the civil war in neighbouring Syria.

Pray: the international response to Syria’s crisis in the coming days will not fuel further Sunni Shia hostility in Iraq. Pray for their hostilities to tbe harnessed. (Gen.16:12)

More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-23861541