"The terrorists want to incite sectarian hatred" in a country already divided by sectarian lines, and seek to "further destabilize [Iraq]," ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin told reporters.
Kamynin described anti-Sunni violence in the wake of the attack as "unfortunate" and said that "the Iraqis need to demonstrate restraint and prudence. They must not give in to extremist provocations aimed at pulling the country into a bloody [sectarian] war."
Russia would continue its role as a responsible player in Iraq, dedicated to stability, prosperity, independence, and territorial integrity, he said.
On Wednesday morning, bombers blew up the Al-Askari mosque of Shiite Imams Ali al-Hadi and Hassan al-Askari in the city of Samarra, 100 kilometers (60 miles) north of Baghdad, destroying two minarets beside a shrine whose golden dome was shattered in a similar attack last year, setting off the ongoing Sunni-Shiite violence.
On Thursday, at least three Sunni mosques were reported burned and up to five people killed south of Baghdad in an apparent retaliation for the Samarra bombing.
