17/02/2017 (Agence Europe) – On Thursday 16 February, the spokesperson for the European External Action Service stated that recent terrorist attacks in Iraq – three in three days – targeting civilians confirmed "the importance of overcoming divisions within the country, focusing on combatting terrorist groups and restoring security and the rule of law throughout the whole country". "The European Union supports Iraq in its efforts to achieve reconciliation and bring reform", the spokesperson added in a press release, saying that the EU pledges to continue its political and financial support to the population and the authorities in the country in their fight for peace, democracy and pluralism. At least 52 lives were lost on Thursday in the explosion of a car bomb in Baghdad. The attack has been claimed by so-called Islamic States. The previous day, and the day before that, a total of 15 people were killed in two other car bomb attacks. (CG)