Since the fall of Saddam Hussein, activities perceived to be contrary to the moral code of Islam have come under repeated attack, with alcohol shops targeted in Baghdad and other cities.

BBC: Baghdad alcohol shops caught in deadly attacks

Army convoys supplying Aleppo have come under repeated rebel attack.

ECONOMIST: The struggle for Syria

Corps repeated the order to attack.

CNN: Private Ryan was a hero, but there were bums, too

The agency said the attack came after repeated attempts by hackers to steal the passwords of AP journalists, adding that it was working to correct the issue.

BBC: AP Twitter account hacked in fake 'White House blasts' post

Churkin repeated Russia's position that it is responding to Thursday's Georgian attack on South Ossetia, which, although inside Georgia, has an autonomous government that is backed by Moscow.

CNN: U.S.: Russia trying to topple Georgian government