Iraq executes 11 more convicted ‘ terrorists’

Surge in violence raises fears that country may be slipping back into all- out sectarian war

Iraq announced yesterday the execution of 11 more convicted “terrorists” amid surging violence that has fuelled fears the country is slipping back into all- out sectarian war just months before elections. The latest executions bring to 162 the number of those put to death so far this year and as violence this month killed more than 500 people while authorities grapple with the worst bloodshed since 2008.

Officials have voiced concern over a resurgent Al Qaida emboldened by the civil war in neighbouring Syria and have appealed for help from Washington in combatting militancy, with France and Turkey also offering assistance.

“Eleven terrorists, all Iraqi men, were executed on Sunday, November 24,” a justice ministry official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“They were executed after being convicted by the courts of carrying out terrorist attacks.”

A post later uploaded to the ministry’s Facebook page, confirmed as authentic by the official, listed the men by their initials along with the crimes they were convicted of having carried out.

At least 162 people have been executed so far this year, according to an AFP tally based on reports from the ministry and officials, compared to 129 for all of 2012.

Diplomats have voiced worry that the pace of executions in Iraq may increase ahead of elections due to be held on April 30.

Israeli soldiers argue with Palestinian villagers who were protesting after the Israeli army cut down branches of olive trees on a road leading to the Jewish colony of Tekoa, in the West Bank, southeast of Bethlehem, on Monday. Israeli authorities have...