People inspect the site of a car bomb attack at a vegetable market in Jamilah neighborhood in Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2013. (Photo: AP/Khalid Mohammed)

(VOVworld) - The Iraqi branch of al-Qaeda claimed responsibility on Friday for carrying out a series of bomb attacks across Iraq, mostly in Shiite areas of the capital city of Baghdad. The attacks killed and injured hundreds of people including 150 deaths over the past 10 days. In a statement posted on a militant website by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, the branch took responsibility for the deadly attacks on government offices, security centers, army, and Shiite areas. The attacks took place when security forces were tightening security measures in Baghdad and carrying out a campaign in Sunni areas around Baghdad to prevent rebel attacks. The statement said the attacks are to avenge the Iraqi government after it executed a group of Sunni gunmen on terrorism charges.