Mourners carried the coffin of a victim killed during an attack on a prison in Taji on Monday. Reuters

Al- Qaeda in Iraq has claimed responsibility for deadly raids this week on Abu Ghraib and Taji prisons which freed hundreds of prisoners, including some of its branch leaders. Al-Qeada said this is the latest move in a prisoner liberation campaign aimed at Iraqi justice officials. At least 20 security officers and 40 others were killed in attacks Sunday night at the two prisons north and west of Baghdad. According to the Iraqi Ministry of Justice, 21 prisoners were killed and 25 injured in the attacks.