Recent terror attacks in Iraq have been "directly linked" to the events in neighbouring Syria, the Russian foreign ministry said Monday.
"It is important to strike the extremists back in their attempt to increase tension among different political and ethnic-confessional groups in the country," Xinhua reported citing a statement from the ministry.
Moscow also condemned the "inhumane crimes" which resulted in the death of scores of innocent people.
More than 70 people were killed and over 120 wounded in Baghdad in the latest string of bombings over the weekend.
The UN Assistance Mission for Iraq said earlier this month that almost 5,000 civilians were killed and 12,000 others injured in Iraq from January to August this year.
