Instability continues to be the norm in Iraq since U.S. troops withdrew in December.  On Thursday a string of at least six explosions targeting Shiites on a pilgrimage killed at least 72 people and wounded more than 100.

The attacks are the latest in a series of bombings over the last few weeks aimed at causing instability in the country’s fragile democracy.  The deadliest attack of the day was in Nasiriya where a suicide bomber detonated a bomb that killed 44 according to the New York Times.

There has been a stalemate between the voting blocs of Sunnis and Shiites in the Iraqi parliament since the American troops left in mid-December and distrust is increasingly rising.  The political situation is frustrating to many in the country, including other politicians.

“They’re busy doing the wrong things,” Parliament member Mahmuod Othman, an independent Kurd who said he was including all parties and sects in his critique, told the Washington Post. “They’re busy with conflict, day and night, and don’t have time for security.

Othman blamed terrorists for taking advantage of the political situation, “they want to create an armed, sectarian conflict.”

Othman’s concerns are shared by Iraqi civilians.  Tariq Annad, a witness to one of the attacks on Thursday told the Associated Press, “people have real fears that the cycle of violence might be revived in this country.”

No group has claimed responsibility for Thursday’s attacks.