Widespread bomb attacks rang out in Iraq this morning as more than 37 bombs were detonated throughout the country.

The attacks throughout the mid-east country cast doubt on that country’s ability to protect its citizens. Even though al-Queda announced prior to the attacks that they would strike in the country as Ramadan commenced, the government was unable to stop them. “They were so clear that they were going to launch attacks during Ramadan, and the government said that they have information of about 30 terrorist groups entering the country, but still the security forces are unable to prevent the attacks.” said Military analyst Khalid Fadel.

The first attack carried out in Iraq this morning began at 5 am. It was then that gunmen stormed an Iraqi military base in Salahuddin province. According to Iraq Security officials, 15 soldiers were killed, four wounded and one captured and carried away.

Then in steady succession, from 6 AM until 10 AM, 37 separate attacks would break out in six provinces in different areas of the country. as many as 8 Attacks took place in the Kirkuk province, where the targets were police patrols. Eight people died there and 42 wounded.

The deadliest attack was in the town of Taji. Taji lies roughly 20 miles north of Baghdad. A car bomb and four roadside bombs exploded in a residential area, killing 32 people and wounding another 43.

A dozen people were killed and another 18 were wounded, when a car bomb went off outside government offices on the edge of Sadr city. This according to the Iraqi Ministry.

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, said in a statement that “the majority of the Sunnis in Iraq support Al Qaeda and are waiting for its return.” Baghdadi also warned that the militant network was returning to its previous strongholds that they were driven from by the US military.

Political analyst in Iraq. Hadi Jalo, said that the Sunnis are feeling emboldened by the uprising taking place in neighboring Syria, where the conflict has continued to intensify and escalate in recent days.

As yet, no group is stepped up claim responsibility for the wave of assaults, but senior Iraqi officials are blaming the local wing of the al-Qaeda.

Today’s attacks followed the first attacks that took place on Sunday in two towns south of Baghdad. 20 people were killed in those attacks and another 80 wounded. Prior to that, there had been a lull in violence in the run-up to the holy month of Ramadan.