Iraq’s top Shiite cleric urges government to prevent militant attacks

Iraq’s top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani on Friday condemned bombings earlier this week claimed by Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and subsequent attacks on Sunni mosques in the eastern town of Muqdadiya.

“We place full responsibility on the government security forces for (the attacks’) repetition,” his representative said in a sermon broadcast on state television, urging the government to curb militant activities.